NEW YORK: Ben & Jerry’s lost its bid Monday to block its parent company Unilever from selling its ice cream in West Bank settlements, which the US firm said would run counter to its values.
The company, known for its political activism, took the unusual step seeking an injunction after London-based Unilever announced it had sold its interest in the ice cream to an Israeli license-holder.
However, a US federal judge ruled Monday the ice cream company had “failed to demonstrate” that the move to sell the goods in the Israeli-occupied settlements caused it “irreparable harm.”
In July last year, Vermont-based Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell its ice cream in the Palestinian territories, which the Jewish state seized in 1967, saying it was “inconsistent with our values,” although it said it would keep selling its products in Israel.
However, Israeli license-holder Avi Zinger had continued to produce the ice cream in his factory in the suburbs of Tel Aviv and distribute it to the Israeli settlements, going against the company’s decision.
Hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, in communities widely regarded as illegal under international law.
On July 5, Ben and Jerry’s asked that any agreement allowing distribution or sale of its products in the West Bank be dissolved and that any further such transaction go before its board of directors to be given a green light.
Unilever’s decision was “made without the consent of Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board,” and goes against the merger agreement that gave the board the ability to protect the founder’s values and reputation, the complaint said.
However, US District Court Judge Andrew Carter Jr in Manhattan said the idea the company’s messaging could be marred or customers could become confused about its core values was “too speculative.”
Founded in the United States in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s is known for championing progressive causes, including protecting the environment and promoting human rights, and has frequently released special ice cream flavors to support causes or in protest.
Contacted by AFP Monday, Ben & Jerry’s declined to immediately comment on the decision.
Unilever did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
Court denies Ben & Jerry’s effort to prevent sales in Israeli settlements
https://arab.news/6t9eq
Court denies Ben & Jerry’s effort to prevent sales in Israeli settlements
- Vermont-based Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell its ice cream in the Palestinian territories in July last year
- Israeli license-holder Avi Zinger has continued to produce the ice cream in Tel Aviv and distribute it in the settlements
Syrian government sends more humanitarian aid to civilians in Ayn Al-Arab
- 5-truck convoy delivers essential supplies including food, medicines for children and people with special needs, blankets and drinking water
- The previous day, 24 trucks delivered aid for civilians in Kurdish-majority town affected by conflict between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces
LONDON: Syrian authorities said they sent a second humanitarian convoy to the northern town of Ayn Al-Arab in the Aleppo countryside on Tuesday, as part of ongoing efforts to help civilians affected by the conflict between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Farhad Khurto, deputy head of the Central Committee for Aleppo Response, said five trucks delivered essential supplies including food, medicines for children and people with special needs, blankets and drinking water.
Amin Hababeh, the director of Aleppo’s Emergency and Disaster Management Center, said representatives of the organization accompanied the convoy to ensure the critical humanitarian assistance reached the people who needed it.
The operation was organized by the Central Committee for Aleppo Response in coordination with Civil Defense teams, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Red Cross, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
On Monday, 24 aid trucks delivered medical supplies, heating materials and other relief items to Ayn Al-Arab, a Kurdish-majority town also known as Kobani. The response committee said the operation was carried out in coordination with the UN to provide aid for civilians despite the security risks from landmines planted by SDF militants in the area.
