NJ mayor blasts Ben & Jerry's 'virtue signaling' pro-Palestine stance and asks: How come you still sell in China, Saudi Arabia and Syria if you care about human rights?
Ben & Jerry's has been embroiled in an ongoing saga of boycotts and criticism
The company released a statement on July 19 that selling ice cream in 'Occupied Palestinian Territory' was 'inconsistent with our values'
The ice cream maker is owned by British consumer goods conglomerate Unilever, which has its U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs
Mayor Mario M. Kranjac, the town's mayor, sent a letter about the ice cream maker's decision on Monday to Unilever
Kranjac called Ben & Jerry's decision 'virtue signaling' and questioned why it still sells ice cream to other countries with appalling human rights records
A spokesperson for the mayor described the letter to DailyMail.com as 'threatening legal recourse' against Unilever
Town officials will be introducing a resolution regarding the company on Wednesday evening, the spokesperson said
The mayor of a town in New Jersey where Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever is headquartered has blasted the ice cream firm for its vow to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank to boycott Israeli settlements.
Ben & Jerry's has been embroiled in an ongoing saga of boycotts and criticism after the company released a statement on July 19 that selling ice cream in 'Occupied Palestinian Territory' was 'inconsistent with our values.'
British consumer goods conglomerate Unilever, which has its U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, was sent a letter about the ice cream maker's decision on Monday by Mayor Mario M. Kranjac, obtained by DailyMail.com.
'Not only is this move disturbing, but it is also a violation of New Jersey's anti-BDS laws,' Kranjac wrote in the Monday letter.
He added: 'I strongly encourage you to reevaluate your company's position and to treat everyone fairly without the virtue signaling that ultimately creates unfair treatment.'
The mayor wrote that Englewood Cliffs remains 'grateful' for Unilever making its headquarters in the community, he called Ben & Jerry's actions 'discrimination' and said the company has 'gone too far.'
'Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated,' Kranjac wrote. 'Englewood Cliffs is a wonderful place to work and live, and we welcome all lawful businesses big and small, and all residents.'
Kranjac called Israel 'one of the most democratic and free countries in the world.'
'It is a beacon of freedom in the Middle East, and one of America's greatest allies,' the mayor said.
'It concerns me that your company is so quick to chastise Israel, while continuing to support and profit from other countries and movements that daily commit substantial human rights violations, genocide, unlawful imprisonment, forced 're-education', and race-based classifications.'
He added that Englewood Cliffs 'stands with Israel' and 'will not remain silent.'
'In fact, we will stand with anyone that is wrongly targeted. I strongly encourage you to reconsider your decision on this matter and to add vitality to all lives,' the mayor wrote, while referencing the company's corporate mission.
Kranjac called Ben & Jerry's decision 'virtue signaling' and questioned why it still sells ice cream to other countries with appalling human rights records.
Ben & Jerrys stills sells ice cream in China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria, whose governments have all been condemned for appalling human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for the mayor further described the letter to DailyMail.com as 'threatening legal recourse' against Unilever and said that town officials would be introducing a resolution regarding the company on Wednesday evening.
