The two founders of "Ben & Jerry's", Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, were interviewed today (Monday) by the "Axius" agency - and commented extensively on the storm surrounding the boycott of the settlements.
"There was no surprise from the reaction, but it still hurts," they said.
"We are fine with the claims of customers who have said that the move is antisemitic. It is ridiculous."
"What am I against Jews?"
Keep going.
"I am a Jew, my family is Jewish, my friends are Jews. I understand why people are upset about it, it is a sensitive issue for many people. It is a painful issue for many."
Regarding the question, what led to the decision right now?
They replied: "We have always been in favor of a two-state solution. The actions of the Israeli government have been to adopt the settlements, which make it difficult to implement this solution."
Cohen and Greenfield added that "we do not see it as a boycott. We do not want our products to be sold in Judea and Samaria. It is not something big, not at the economic level - but at the policy level.
Regarding the sale of the company's shares in Arizona and New Georgia, they said: "It is disturbing because it is based on incorrect information. Ben & Jerry's and Unilever are marked as boycotting Israel, and that is not the case."
They said of the State of Israel that "we do not support US policy either, but we will not stop selling it."
"We fully support Israel's right to exist, but we do not agree with some of its policies."
You support voting rights. Why are you still doing business in Georgia? Or in Texas after the abortion laws there.
"I do not know, that is a good question," the two said while stuttering many times.
Especially on the part of Ben Cohen who spoke throughout most of the interview stages.
"It is not clear to me how it will affect. We are dealing with these issues, but we still need to think about it. That is a good question."
Ben Cohen (left) and Jerry Greenfield, founders of Ben & Jerry's, Photo: GettyImages
Every woman in Texas will not be able to have an abortion. Every woman in Texas has lost her rights in the state.
"By that logic, we can not sell ice cream anywhere. I have problems in every country. I think the difference is that what Israel is doing is illegal under international law, it is a consideration."