
Ben & Jerry’s says it will stop selling its ice cream in “occupied Palestinian territories”
Ben & Jerry’s said Monday that it will stop selling its ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territories because the company believes it’s “inconsistent” with its values.
In a statement, the Vermont-based company said, “We also hear and recognize the concerns shared with us by our fans and trusted partners.”
Ben & Jerry’s had come under pressure from pro-Palestinian groups over its business in Israel and Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Ben & Jerry’s said in its statement that it has a longtime partnership with a licensee that manufactures its ice cream in Israel and distributes it in the region.
“We have been working to change this, and so we have informed our licensee that we will not renew the license agreement when it expires at the end of next year,” wrote Ben & Jerry’s. Although Ben & Jerry’s will no longer be sold in occupied Palestinian territories, the company said it will stay in Israel through a different arrangement.