On Thursday, March 3, Israeli manufacturer of Ben & Jerry’s, American Quality Products (AQP), and its owner, Avi Zinger, announced that it will be suing Unilever for unlawfully terminating a 34-year business relationship in order to boycott Israel. This announcement comes after Unilever’s subsidiary, Ben & Jerry’s, stated last July that it would be ending its sales in “Occupied Palestinian Territory” due to product sales in Israeli settlements being “inconsistent” with the company’s values. The suit has been filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, where Unilever is headquartered. 

According to a release from the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, the lawsuit outlines how Unilever’s withdrawal from certain parts of Israel violates both Israeli law and U.S. policy.  AQP’s refusal to comply with Unilever’s unlawful demands constitutes a wrongful termination and breach of contract under U.S. law, and therefore, Zinger and AQP are seeking an injunction from the U.S. court that would enable the continued manufacturing of  Ben & Jerry products in all of Israel. 

“For 34 years I have had a strong and incredibly positive working relationship with Ben & Jerry’s, manufacturing and selling its
ice cream in all parts of Israel, to Israelis and Palestinians. I refused Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever’s illegal demands, and as a
result, they are threatening to close my business, affecting hundreds of Israeli and Palestinians workers and distributors,”
stated Zinger. “Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever’s actions are misguided, unlawful and immoral. […] There is still time to do the right thing. Renew my license and leave ice cream out of the political debate.”

“Unilever’s unlawful action is detrimental not only to Avi Zinger and his company, but also to Avi’s employees; his Palestinian
distributors and suppliers; and the general public,” stated Alyza Lewin, president of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human
Rights Under Law in the official release. “…It is time for Unilever to admit the error of its ways and reverse its discriminatory and selfdestructive decision.”