American ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s said Tuesday it was suing its parent company Unilever to block a move that would see its product sold in West Bank settlements, in a move that would run counter to its values.
The company, known for its political activism, took the unusual step of seeking an injunction after London-based Unilever announced last week that it had sold its stake in the ice cream to Israeli licensee Avi Zinger.
The lawsuit was “essential to protect … the brand and social integrity that Ben & Jerry’s has built over decades,” according to the lawsuit filed in a U.S. district court.
Unilever’s decision was “made without the consent of Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board” and violated the merger agreement, which gave the board the ability to protect the founder’s assets and reputation, the complaint said.
Last July, Vermont-based Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories that the Jewish state conquered in 1967, saying it was “inconsistent with our values” although it said it planned to continue selling its products in Israel.
However, contrary to Ben & Jerry’s decision, Zinger had continued to produce the ice cream at its factory in the Tel Aviv suburbs and distribute it to the Israeli settlements.
Hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in communities widely considered illegal under international law.
Palestinians hailed the company’s move last year, which was seen as a victory for the BDS movement, which has called for boycotts, divestitures of investments and sanctions against the Jewish state for what it describes as mistreatment of Palestinians.
Founded in 1978 in the United States, Ben & Jerry’s is known for its commitment to progressive causes, including protecting the environment and promoting human rights, and has often released specialty ice cream flavors to support causes or in protest.
Unilever said last week it had “never expressed any support” for the BDS movement and had “no intention of changing that position”.
The company did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
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