Jerusalem: Unilever’s chief executive on Thursday said the giant global consumer goods remained “ fully committed ‘to do business in Israel, distance themselves from this week’s announcement by the Brand of the Ben & Jerry ice cream company to stop serving West Bank settlements Israel.
But Alan Jope’s CEO did not give an indication that Unilever would force Ben & Jerry to roll back his controversial decision.
Ben & Jerry’s announcement is one of the strongest voltages by a well-known company against Israeli settlements, which are widely seen by the international community as illegal.
The Israeli government has condemned the decision, accusing the company to join the Global Palestinian led booty movement against Israel and urged 35 American countries with anti-boycott law to punish Unilever.
In a conference call with investors, Jound said that Ben & Jerry’s, who had a long history of social activism, had made his own decisions.
He noted that in his purchase agreement with Ben & Jerry in 2000, the company maintained extensive independence on its social justice policy and that Unilever respected the arrangement.
“ Obviously it is a complex and sensitive problem that gives rise to a very strong feeling, “he said.
“ If there is one message I want to underline this call, it is Unilever still fully committed to our business in Israel.
“It includes 35 million euros ($ 41 million) razor and corporate offices and company facilities that employ several 2,000 people, he said.
He said “ This is not our goal ” to regularly learn such sensitive problems.
“ It’s a long problem for Ben & Jerry, “he said.
“ We realize this decision by the brand and independent board, but of course not our intention that every quarter will have a pretty good one like this.
“