US state of Florida blacklists Ben & Jerry's
The popular ice cream maker decided in July to stop selling its products in the Palestinian territories in opposition to the Israeli occupation, which prompted criticism from Israeli and American politicians.
The US state of Florida has taken action against Ben & Jerry’s due to the ice cream company’s decision to stop selling products in Israeli settlements.
“As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida will not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a Tuesday statement.
Last month, the US-based Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling its products in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The company had sustained criticism for years for its factory in Israel and its sales to Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Ben & Jerry’s said it would continue to sell in Israel, but the issue touched a nerve in the country. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is relatively well-known in Israel and internationally, and the company has kosher products.
In response to the decision, DeSantis asked Florida’s State Board of Administration in July to add Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever to the state’s List of Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel. The list consists of companies that boycott Israel, and Florida prohibits state entities from doing business with them as a result. Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever were added to the list Monday, and have 90 days to reverse their decision before the investment prohibition kicks in, according to the release.
