In recent weeks, there has been talk in the Jewish community of deserting Ben and Jerry’s over a recent campaign during the U.S mid-term elections, which drew the iconic ice cream manufacturer into an uncomfortable impasse with political activists renowned for their outspoken anti-Semitic views.
The story unfolded with Ben and Jerry’s announcing a new politically charged flavor just ahead of crucial nationwide votes cleverly titled “Pecan Resist”, taking a swipe at the Trump administration. In addition the company awarded financial grants to four organizations including, “The Women’s March” whose co-founders who include Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory – renowned proponents of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views.
Sarsour, a former director of the Arab American Association has endorsed boycotting Israel, described an image of a rock-throwing Palestinian as “the epitome of courage” and recently encouraged American Muslims not to “humanize” Israelis. Meanwhile activist Mallory has regularly heaped praise on the anti-Semitic preacher Louis Farakhan describing him as ‘the greatest of all time.”
The BDS movement would love to see Ben & Jerry’s close in Israel
Almost as soon as the grant to Women’s March was announced, twitter and the blogosphere was scooping up counter protests with calls on shoppers to boycott the company and for shop owners to remove Ben and Jerry’s products from shelves. Ben and Jerry’s USA have defended the new flavor explaining that while they may not agree with everything these two women say, they do support their work for women’s rights.
Aish.com spoke to a senior manager at Ben and Jerry’s Israel to find out where they stand.
“We are an independent Israeli company,” the spokesman said. “We don’t have anything to do with the decisions of the international brand and it is important to mention that we do not intend to market Pecan Resist in Israel.”
“We spoke to our parent company and voiced our objection, but we have been unable to change the situation.”
The Ben and Jerry’s factory opened in Israel in 1987 in the town of Kiryat Malachi, near Ashkelon, where today it employs around 140 Israelis who mainly live locally. The ice cream industry nets around $1.2bn annually in Israel where Strauss and Nestle are the biggest producers. Ben and Jerry’s is the third largest brand with around 10% of the market.
So, what impact has this had on Israeli sales? “It’s hard to say,” the spokesman said. “I hope not too bad, but it’s more a sense that we have been given the cold shoulder and our customers should know that we distance ourselves from this decision of the parent company.”
He added, “Stopping buying Ben and Jerry’s in Israel is exactly what anti-Israel groups are looking for. The BDS movement would love to see Ben & Jerry’s close in Israel.”
(19) Yossi Kir-on, June 19, 2020 10:58 AM
Haagen Dazs apparently not kosher, at least in Israel
In 2012 the Israel Chief Rabbinate announced that Haagen-Dazs, previously popular in Israel, does not pass its most basic kashrut requirements.
We have long avoided B&J but I was shocked to see so many people writing unchallenged on the Aish site of all places recommending a move to HD!
(18) Sha;i ben-Tekoa, December 15, 2018 4:26 PM
Do Ben and Jerry in the States profit from sales in Isael?
Do Ben and Jerry in the States profit from sales in Israel?
(17) Anonymous, November 26, 2018 3:40 PM
Now I'll start buying Ben & Jerry's in Israel!
(16) Carol Racklin-Siegel, November 25, 2018 12:49 PM
The parent company still makes money from Israeli sales
Isn't it true that the parent (U.S.) company still makes money from sales in Israel? Please explain.
(15) Anonymous, November 25, 2018 6:35 AM
Too late
I enjoyed it but not anymore. Can't stand the idea that I'm enabling enemies of my people.
(14) Laurie Dinerstein-Kurs, November 24, 2018 9:34 PM
Strong arm and mafia alive and well
Sarsour - hardly an advocate for anything remotely Jewish and whose idol is Farrakkhan, is hardly a role model or unbiased adjudicator for anything at all.
The idea of closing down businesses you disagree wirth, or attempting to interfer with free market ... demonstrates exactly what culture and values she stands for.
(13) Elenor, November 24, 2018 6:03 PM
Reisit Boycott
Personally, I think it is very short sighted of corporations to mix business with politics. But B and J just could not help themselves. So, I will boycott whether I am in Israel or the US. What has Israel B and J done to have B and J change their anti-trump policies?
(12) Emily, November 24, 2018 1:51 PM
B&J's new corporate owners
Ben and Jerry sold the company over 10 years ago. The new owners did not fulfill the contractual obligation to donate proceeds for at least 10 years until Ben and Jerry called them on it. It is not the same company with the original philosophy. I live in Vermont and will not buy it, either. Hagen Daas is better, and there are many other brands, too. Invite a different franchise to Israel, please!
(11) Kevin, November 24, 2018 12:57 AM
Who would have thought? Dangerous Ice Cream! I have never bought it and now never will. I will tell every one I know about this.
(10) Anonymous, November 23, 2018 7:42 PM
Get a different francise.
(9) J.B. Latimer, November 23, 2018 3:26 PM
Incomprehensible
So Ben&Jerry's supports FMG and anti-semitism. Women's issues/rights, indeed! I'd say that was great marketing. Leftist hypocrisy.Never ate their product, never will.
(8) grill, November 23, 2018 1:09 PM
Deleted comment
This comment has been deleted.
BenGoodLuck, November 27, 2018 7:33 PM
Whoa!
Go easy on the Cherry Garcia there, bud!
(7) verna black-gardner, November 23, 2018 10:44 AM
Ben and Jerry's ice cream is delicious!
Ben and Jerry's ice cream is delicious. My only complaint
is that it is too fattening.
Other than that I only buy it for very special events.
Sincerely,
Verna Black-Gartner
(6) David Levine, November 23, 2018 1:48 AM
Yes, BOYCOTT THEM
I have never purchased Ben and Jerry Ice Cream nor have I consumed it when served it. Early in their corporate life they said that a high percentage of their profits would go to leftist political causes and leftist political causes from the late 1960s onward were anti-Israel and anti Jewish causes, whether it be support of reverse discrimination or BDS to give two examples. There are many tasty brands of Ice Cream that a Jewish consumer can be comfortable with, particularly Haagan Dass, founded by two Holocaust survivors.
(5) Ruben Zagagi, November 23, 2018 1:02 AM
Let them close
Let them close in Israel. No need to support these anti Semitic bigots. Even if the Israel branch is against, sales in Israel will still indirectly benefit the parent company. Why would we pro Israel Jews support anti semites??
Regina, November 23, 2018 4:45 AM
Consequences
The people who work for B and J's in Israel will lose their jobs; it's like boycotting French Kosher wine but the people who suffer are the Jews who make the wine.
(4) Frank Van Bers, November 22, 2018 6:00 PM
Ben and Jerry's
As an Israeli company , I would not assume that you were a participant in this fiasco. However, I am sure that some (if not all) of what you earn in Israel ends up with the parent company. Not any of my money ! At least not until B,& J. come out and say they screwed up big time. (or simply say that they are comfortable being antisemitic
Frank Van Bers
(3) Wayne kaufman, November 22, 2018 5:07 PM
That’s not the only solution
If it’s a separate company in Israel, let’s BDS B&J here in the US. I will no longer buy any of their ice cream. There a plenty of other options.
(2) K.H. Ryesky, November 22, 2018 4:29 PM
B&J Israel pays B&J in USA
I have not read the relevant franchise agreement, but, having read other franchise agreements. I feel quite comfortable in stating the following:
The Ben & Jerry's in Israel has paid (and perhaps continues to pay) royalties to the Ben & Jerry's in the USA for the use of its name and trademarks and other intellectual property. They could have started their own brand, but they made a conscious choice to buy into the Ben & Jerry's name. They could have bought into Breyer's or Bassett's (or perhaps even Singin' Sam the 10-Cent Man, whose name is far better than that of Ben & Jerry's).
They made their purchase, and now it is proving to not be all they had hoped for.
If B&J Israel continues its relationship with B&J USA, then they have only themselves to blame for contributing to the continuing promotion of an anti-Israel and anti-Jewish agenda.
[Within the past 90 minutes I purchased some Häagen-Dazs at my local makolet.]
I will not support terrorism by purchasing a Ben & Jerry's ice cream product. Not in the USA, and not in Israel.
(1) Barbara Oberman, November 22, 2018 3:52 PM
The response of the Israeli Company is very weak
Why not suggest to the parent company that the Israeli branch will open under a different name? and buy from other Ice Cream producers?Truthfully Haagendas is much better - switch the factory and show the company you will not have anything to do with BDS. Unacceptable response from the Israeli Company.