The board of directors of the American ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's issued a call for an immediate and permanent cessation of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, claiming that the company's "values" are opposition to war and support for peace around the world.
"Peace is a central value of Ben & Jerry's. From Iraq to Ukraine, society has consistently insisted on this principle. Today's declaration is no different when we call for peace and a permanent and immediate ceasefire," said board chairwoman Anorda Mittal.
At the Ben & Jerry's factory in Israel, photo: Yossi Zeliger
The decision comes amid a conflict between the company's management and its parent company, Unilever, which in the past intervened in the company's decisions after it decided to boycott settlements in Judea and Samaria in 2021. The crisis was partially resolved after the brand in Israel was sold to Avi Singer, a local franchise owner.
The company made sure to clarify that the decision to call for a ceasefire has nothing to do with Unilever, and the decision represents Ben & Jerry's only. It is important to note that the company active in Israel is operated by a local franchisee and has no connection to the company's management in the United States. Ben & Jerry's Israel employs hundreds of workers in its Be'er Tuvia factory and uses local raw materials.
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