Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has sued parent company Unilever and blocked the sale of its Israeli business, according to Reuters.
Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit in the US District Court in Manhattan, arguing that the sale to local licensee American Quality Products operator Avi Zinger could compromise the integrity of the brand.
Last week, the sale of Ben & Jerry’s business in Israel was announced. This move showed Unilever’s attempt to break away from the controversy over the sale of the brand on the occupied Palestinian territory, and meant that Ben & Jerry’s would continue to be available in Israel and the West Bank.
Ben & Jerry’s said, “We continue to believe that selling ice cream in the occupied Palestinian Territories is not in line with Ben & Jerry’s values.”
Ben & Jerry’s Board of Directors maintained its independence to protect the integrity of the brand when Unilever acquired the company in 2000. Unilever, quoted by Reuters, said it had not discussed the proceedings in dispute but said it had the right to sell the litigation in dispute and the transaction had already been completed.