• Unilever’s sale to Avi Zinger overrides Ben & Jerry’s summer board decision.
• Company stopped sales in Israel-occupied territory last summer.
• The Israeli ice cream company employs 170 Israelis directly, Unilever says.

Unilever signed a contract to continue selling Ben & Jerry’s in Israel.

The business stated Wednesday that it sold the Israeli branch of the ice cream brand to Avi Zinger, whose company currently licences Ben & Jerry’s in Israel.

Ben & Jerry’s, which has an independent board, stopped sales in Israel-occupied territory last summer. Palestinians desire the territory for their own state, and supporters have backed “BDS,” which encourages people to avoid shopping from enterprises in the area.

Unilever’s sale to Zinger overrides Ben & Jerry’s summer board decision. Zinger told CNBC on Wednesday, “This is the greatest thing for me and my staff.”

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Ben & Jerry’s and board chair Anurandha Mittal didn’t immediately comment. Insiders said the board will meet soon to discuss the problem. Mittal was credited with starting the Israeli withdrawal. Ben & Jerry’s Jewish founders defended the decision in an op-ed last summer.

Ben & Jerry’s decision to walk out of Israel last year was controversial and prompted some states to divest from Unilever.

A spokeswoman for activist investor Nelson Peltz, who will join Unilever’s board next month, said Trian Partners “commends the Unilever team and Avi Zinger for reaching this new arrangement” Respect and tolerance won.”

Trian has 1.5% of the company’s shares. As board chair for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which opposes antisemitism and delegitimization of Israel, Peltz met with Unilever CEO Alan Jope late last year.

Israel’s government views boycotts as an economic threat. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid ordered U.S. consulates to persuade Unilever to overturn Ben & Jerry’s decision.

Lapid, Israel’s prospective prime minister, said the facility is a microcosm of Israeli society. “Today’s triumph is a victory for all those who recognise that fighting BDS is a fight for partnership, conversation, and against prejudice and hate.”

American Quality Products employs 170 Israelis directly, while dairies, delivery firms, and others assist the business, the company stated.

Zinger, who has operated the company for 35 years, said, “There was a lot of uncertainty, but now we know we can be in business forever.”

American Quality Products will sell Ben & Jerry’s in Hebrew and Arabic.

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