Ben & Jerry’s To End Sales In Occupied Palestinian Territory, But Continues To Sell In Israel

Ben & Jerry’s announced on Monday that it will end sales of its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

The Vermont-based ice cream company, which has been known for its growing commitment to current social justice issues, said it is making this move to put pressure on Israel on behalf of the Palestinians.

“We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT),” they said in a statement.

The company has not completely boycotted the West Bank. In their statement, Ben & Jerry’s revealed they will continue to stay in Israel through a different arrangement.

They have not specified what that arrangement will be but said they “will share an update on this as soon as we’re ready.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop sales in OPT is morally and commercially wrong.

“There are many ice cream brands, but only one Jewish state. Ben & Jerry's has decided to brand itself as the anti-Israel ice cream,” he said in a tweet.

The decision, which is now blowing up on Twitter, has revolted many pro-Palestinian activists who think Ben & Jerry’s are not doing enough.

“We warmly welcome their decision but call on Ben & Jerry’s to end all operations in apartheid Israel,” the Palestinian B.D.S. National Committee said in a Twitter post.

Israel has over 250 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and has displaced over 750 Palestinians in 2021 to build more, rights groups told Aljazeera.

According to the Human Rights Watch, Isreal is commiting “crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution” against Pelstine.

Ben & Jerry’s withdrawal from the occupied territories will not take effect immediately, according to The New York Times.

The company will not renew its agreement with its licensee in Israel, which manufactures and distributes ice cream in the region. They will make a different arrangement to stay in Israel after the agreement expires at the end of 2022.