Israel has warned the consumer products giant Unilever of "serious consequences" due to its "Ben & Jerry's" decision to stop selling ice cream in the occupied territories, and urged US states to enact laws preventing the boycott.

Ben & Jerry's decision on Monday followed pressure from pro-Palestinian groups on the Vermont-based company because of its activities in Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and since 1987 it has been an authorized partner in Israel, Ben & Jerry's.

Most countries in the world consider Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories illegal, while Israel seeks to change that situation.

Anti-Israel action

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said he described the move in a phone call with Unilever CEO Alan Job as a "blatant anti-Israel measure", and said the government would act "vigorously to prevent any boycott action targeting civilians."

The Ben & Jerry's decision drew a swift response from some of the smaller grocery chains operating in the New York metro area, which has a large Jewish population, saying they would either reduce or remove Ben & Jerry's products from the shelves.

Ben & Jerry's, based in South Burlington, Vermont, is known for its commitment to social justice, which has recently included strong support for the Black Lives Matters movement, transgender rights, and campaign finance reform.

It was acquired by Unilever in 2000 in a deal that allows it to operate more independently than other subsidiaries, which includes giving legal powers to an independent board of directors to make decisions about its social role, brand image and policies.

On Monday, the ice cream maker Chunky Monkey issued a statement saying that the brand would not renew its licensing agreement with its Israeli partner when it expires at the end of 2022.

Ben & Jerry's said selling its products in the Occupied Palestinian Territories "contradicts its values".

Ben & Jerry's will end sales of our ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Read our full statement: https://t.co/2mGWYGN4GA pic.twitter.com/kFeu7aXOf3

— Ben & Jerry's (@beandjerrys) July 19, 2021

The position of the US administration

US State Department spokesman Ned Price refused to respond to the Ben & Jerrys decision, describing it as a "private company action", and that President Joe Biden's administration is constitutionally obligated to respect the right of the American company Ben & Jerrys, but he reiterated the Biden administration's opposition to the global movement to boycott Israel and withdraw Investments from it and the imposition of sanctions on it, a movement that seeks to isolate Israel because of its treatment of the Palestinians.

"We strongly reject the boycott movement that unfairly targets Israel," Price added in a regular press briefing.

He stressed that the US administration will be a strong partner in facing efforts that may seek to delegitimize Israel around the world, and will work tirelessly to integrate it into the international community.

A clash between the two companies

The move sparked a clash between the independent board of Ben & Jerrys and Unilever.

Ben & Jerry's announcement included saying that the company would remain in Israel under a different arrangement with no sales in the West Bank, one of the areas where Palestinians seek statehood.

This position was reiterated in a separate statement issued by Unilever itself on the same day.

In an interview with NBC, independent Ben & Jerry's Chairman Anuradha Mittal said the board had not been asked to vote on any proposal to continue sales in Israel, so announcing the move violated the 2000 takeover.

Mittal said the Ben & Jerrys board would have to vote to approve any different arrangement, which it has not yet done.

Asked for comment on Mittal's comments, Unilever said, "As you have seen in our statement, Unilever always recognizes the right of the brand and its independent board to make decisions about its social role."

reverse interruption

In New York, the supermarket chain, Morton Williams, which operates 15 stores in New York and one in New Jersey, said it is significantly reducing Ben & Jerry's products in its stores, and co-owner Avi Kanner added that he is contacting other retailers and distributors in the hope that they will follow suit. follow suit.

Other supermarkets, including Gourmet Glatt and New Jersey's Cedar Market, issued statements on Instagram saying they would no longer do business with the brand, which takes effect immediately.

Grove Kosher Market in Florida said its stores do not do business with the brand, and will not do so in the future either.

Shares of Unilever closed down about 1% on Tuesday, and the company is due to announce its first-half results on Thursday.