Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Board accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza

(JTA) – The board of directors of Ben & Jerry’sThe ice cream company founded by two progressive Jews, would call the War of Israel in Gaza a “genocide” in a new declaration.

The press release comes four years after the board of directors sparked a bitter legal battle with the parent company Unilever for a prior commitment to stop selling its products in “occupied Palestinian territory”. It was seen and quoted by several publications but had not been published on the Ben & Jerry site by Friday afternoon.

“Ben & Jerry’s believes in human rights and peace defenders, and we join those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza, “the board of directors said in statements.” We stick with all those who lift their voice against the genocide in Gaza – from petition signals to street walkers to these risk arrests. “”

A request for comment to Ben & Jerry’s, to verify that the declaration was not immediately returned. A Unite The spokesperson told Reuters that the comments reflected the views of the Ben & Jerry and person’s board of directors.

“We call peace in the region and relief for all those whose life has been affected,” said Unilever spokesperson.

Ben & Jerry’s political identity

Ben & Jerry’s board of directors benefits from the political independence of its business owner in a single property agreement and often seems to progressive subjects. Such activism has sometimes cost a cost: its Israel Declaration in 2021 prompted the return of return so serious that the company lost its Israeli brand and saw several state pension funds disinvesting from Unilever.

The co-founders of the company, the Jewish liberals who moved to the Vermont in New York in the 1970s, do not participate in the company or its board of directors. One of them, Ben Cohen, is a frank opponent of the War of Israel in Gaza who was arrested after having disrupted a Senate hearing with a pro-Palestinian demonstration. He said that Israel was committing a genocide in Gaza during a recent appearance in the online show of the far-right talk show, Tucker Carlson.

Israel was taken to the International Court of Justice in an investigation to find out if he commits a genocide in Gaza, a common allegation making his criticism that he fiercely rejects. In recent weeks, some supporters of Israel have used the word for the first time, in the middle of a one -month -old Gaza blockade. Israel recently launched a new controversial mechanism to help, and the help started to enter the enclave.