The iconic beer brand Bud Light took a massive hit over the summer due to the fallout from its partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
In the first week of the controversy, Bud Light sales <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/bud-light-sales-decline-dylan-mulvaney-transgender-boycott-1796451" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decreased</a> 11%, and its stock <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2023/05/31/anheuser-busch-stock-enters-bear-territory-amid-anti-trans-bud-light-backlash/?sh=11c6283e1bfe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plunged</a> 20% by the beginning of June, losing the brand&#8217;s parent company, AB InBev, billions in market value. It <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/19/dylan-mulvaney-bud-light-boycott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffered a revenue loss</a> in its North American market of almost $400 million during the second quarter, and the brand&#8217;s sales are still lagging.
Despite being the target of one of the most successful boycotts in U.S. history, AB InBev&#8217;s stock has mostly stabilized. It&#8217;s <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ab+inbev+stock&amp;sca_esv=571003301&amp;ei=yfAeZb3-Doe7qtsP__OQoAY&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj9huvstd-BAxWHnWoFHf85BGQQ4dUDCBA&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=ab+inbev+stock&amp;gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDmFiIGluYmV2IHN0b2NrMg0QABiABBixAxhGGPoBMgcQABiKBRhDMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgARIjRJQAFjXD3AAeAGQAQCYAYcBoAGdCqoBBDEwLjS4AQPIAQD4AQHCAg0QLhjHARjRAxiKBRhDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QPCAg0QLhiKBRjHARjRAxhDwgIKEAAYigUYsQMYQ8ICEBAuGIoFGLEDGMcBGNEDGEPCAg8QABiKBRixAxhDGEYY-gHiAwQYACBBiAYB&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">down</a> only 12% from the start of the year, and it&#8217;s actually up 17% from one year ago. The mitigation of AB InBev&#8217;s overall losses largely stems from the fact that it owns 7 0f the 10 best-selling beer brands in the United States. So, while sales of Bud Light have plummeted, the sales of other brands owned by AB InBev have remained the same or even increased as Americans switch to other brands without knowing that they are owned by the parent company of Bud Light.
The company, along with rival Molson Coors (the owner of Miller and Coors), have an iron grip on the domestic beer market, reducing the effectiveness of any boycott. This is why the boycott of Bud Light has only damaged AB InBev&#8217;s North American market and not crippled it.
<div id="attachment_636329" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-636329" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-636329" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1574581815-864x576.jpg" alt="MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 27: Bud Light, made by Anheuser-Busch, sits on a store shelf on July 27, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Anheuser-Busch InBev announced it will lay off hundreds of corporate employees as its Bud Light beer sales continue to struggle. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1574581815-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1574581815-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1574581815-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1574581815.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Joe Raedle/Getty Images</div>
Beer isn&#8217;t the only market that has been cornered by a few large, woke companies. Practically every name-brand item that you can buy in your local grocery store is owned by a handful of very powerful corporations, and all of them have pushed leftist ideology in some way.
The Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investigated</a> 61 items commonly sold at grocery stores in 2021 and found that a majority of the market share for almost 80% of those products was controlled by four or fewer companies. Close to 93% of the market for soft drinks is dominated by the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr. Pepper. Breakfast cereal giants General Mills, Kellogg&#8217;s, and Post Holdings have cornered close to 73% of their market. PepsiCo has an almost complete monopoly on the country&#8217;s dip brands, with 88% of the market.
In 2022, 60% of the domestic American market for goods such as pork, coffee, bread, and cookies was controlled by just four companies. For products like beef, baby food, pasta, and soda the market concentration is even more acute — 80% of the market for those goods is controlled by the top four producers, <a href="https://time.com/6139127/u-s-food-prices-monopoly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Time.
The largest of these companies own dozens if not hundreds of brands and make tens of billions of dollars a year in revenue. According to the credit card company <a href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/blog/11-companies-that-own-everything-904b28425120" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capital One</a>, these companies are:
<h4>Kellogg&#8217;s</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Cheez-It, Eggo, Famous Amos, Pop-Tarts, Pringles, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Special K, Rice Crispies</li>
</ul>
<h4>General Mills</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.generalmills.com/food-we-make/brands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Gold Medal, Cheerios, Chex, Green Giant, Lucky Charms, Nature Valley, Pillsbury</li>
</ul>
<h4>Kraft-Heinz</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.kraftheinzcompany.com/brands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Heinz Ketchup, Kraft Mac &amp; Cheese, Lunchables, Velveeta, Jell-O, Oscar Meyer, Kool-Aid</li>
</ul>
<h4>Mondelez-International</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.mondelezinternational.com/Our-Brands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Cadbury, Chips Ahoy!, Nabisco, Oreo, BelVita, Triscuit, Ritz, Wheat Thins</li>
</ul>
<h4>Mars</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.mars.com/our-brands">brands</a>: M&amp;Ms, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Uncle Ben’s, Milky Way, Starburst, Spearmint, 3 Musketeers</li>
</ul>
<h4>Coca-Cola</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.coca-colacompany.com/brands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, Sprite, Barq&#8217;s, Fanta, Dasani, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Schweppes</li>
</ul>
<h4>Unilever</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.unilever.com/brands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Ben and Jerry&#8217;s, Hellmann&#8217;s, Knorr, Breyers, Ragu, Klondike</li>
</ul>
<h4>PepsiCo</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.pepsico.com/who-we-are/about-pepsico#:~:text=Our%20portfolio%20includes%20major%20global,Mafer%2C%20Tortrix%20and%20Kero%20Coco." target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: Pepsi, Lay&#8217;s, Aquafina, Doritos, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Tostitos, Fritos, Cheetos</li>
</ul>
<h4>Nestle</h4>
<ul>
<li>major <a href="https://www.nestle.com/brands/brandssearchlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a>: CoffeeMate, DiGiorno, Gerber, KitKat, Lean Cuisine, Perrier, Stouffer&#8217;s, Toll House, San Pellegrino</li>
</ul>
The brand lists for these companies are in no way exhaustive. Each has a massive portfolio of brands under their control.
The food industry made close to $200 million in political contributions during the 2020 election cycle, and almost $125 million during the 2022 midterm elections, <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/totals.php?cycle=1990&amp;ind=A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Open Secrets. The 9 companies listed above tended to give equally to Democrats and Republicans during the 2022 election cycle, despite the fact that they have also tended to support leftist social policies.
All 9 companies have expressed support for LGBT pride celebrations and have touted their LGBT inclusion policies.
One of Unilever&#8217;s most recognizable brands, Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s ice cream, has become infamous for its endorsement of leftist policies.
The co-founders of the brand, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, have been trying to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-and-jerry-still-fighting-to-keep-their-ice-cream-from-fellow-jews-in-israel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boycott</a> Israel for several years, and new employees were reportedly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-ben-jerrys-employees-forced-to-watch-anti-israel-videos-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">required</a> to watch video lectures featuring Palestinian activists lying about the Jewish state.
<div id="attachment_636333" style="width: 871px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-636333" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-636333" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1241326101-861x576.jpg" alt="Tubs of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, manufactured by Unilever Plc, in a freezer at an Iceland Foods Ltd. supermarket in Christchurch, UK, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. &quot;Britain's cost-of-living crisis -- on track to big the biggest squeeze since the mid-70s -- will continue to worsen before it starts to ease at some point next year,&quot; said Jack Leslie, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, a research group campaigning against poverty. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images" width="861" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1241326101-861x576.jpg 861w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1241326101-300x201.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1241326101-768x514.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1241326101.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px" />Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images</div>
Unilever has pushed to sell the ice cream in Israel and has said it has “never expressed any support” for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BDS</a>) movement, which argues that companies around the world should refrain from doing business with Israel due to the country’s alleged occupation of territory held by Palestinian Arabs.
This past Independence Day, Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s issued the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-says-u-s-needs-to-give-back-stolen-land-native-american-chief-says-companys-hq-is-on-native-land" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, &#8220;The United States was founded on stolen Indigenous land. This Fourth of July, let’s commit to returning it.&#8221; The post included a link to a site that calls for Mt. Rushmore to be handed over to Native Americans.
Advertisements for Unilever&#8217;s personal care items, such as Dove soap, have also become <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bodily-mutilation-fat-liberation-is-this-the-wokest-soap-brand-in-the-nation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">infected</a> by woke ideology, pushing things like &#8220;fat liberation&#8221; and body modification for kids who identify as transgender.
Gatorade, owned by PepsiCo, has also co-opted the &#8220;fat liberation&#8221; movement despite advertising itself as &#8220;sports fuel for performance athletes.&#8221; An ad from earlier this year for Gatorade Fit (marketed as a healthier option than regular Gatorade) <a href="https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/jessamyn-stanley-gatorade-advert-fatphobia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">featured</a> obese yoga instructor and &#8220;body positivity advocate&#8221; Jessamyn Stanley.
The Coca-Cola Company came under <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/backlash-hits-coca-cola-after-accusations-of-anti-white-agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">severe scrutiny</a> in early 2021 when slides from their &#8220;anti-racism&#8221; training for employees were leaked online. Some slides reportedly instructed participants to “try to be less white.&#8221; The company also planned to implement a diversity quota in which it would only work with law firms that provide at least 15% of billed time from black attorneys. After the backlash, Coca-Cola dropped the diversity plan.
M&amp;M&#8217;s, owned by Mars Incorporated, came under fire in early 2022 for changing the design of its famous &#8220;spokescandies,&#8221; anthropomorphized versions of their products, to become more &#8220;inclusive.&#8221;
The most <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mm-characters-are-becoming-inclusive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noticeable change</a> was made to the green M&amp;M character, who lost her peach-colored legs and stiletto boots in favor of white legs and sneakers after criticism that the character was sexualized. Mars said it wanted the green M&amp;M to be “better represented to reflect confidence and empowerment, as a strong female, and known for much more than her boots.”
In September 2022, the company <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mms-brand-promises-acceptance-and-inclusivity-with-debut-of-new-purple-spokescandy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> a new &#8220;spokescandy,&#8221; a purple M&amp;M, specifically &#8220;designed to represent acceptance and inclusivity,&#8221; drawing further criticism. The backlash became so strong that in January 2023 the brand <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mms-pulls-spokescandies-after-supposed-controversy-sales-dipped-after-going-woke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an &#8220;indefinite pause&#8221; on using the characters in ads.
<div id="attachment_636341" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-636341" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-636341" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1262999657-1-864x576.jpg" alt="Orlando, Winter Park, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop &amp; Candy Shop, variety of M&amp;M candy display. (Photo by: Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1262999657-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1262999657-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1262999657-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/GettyImages-1262999657-1.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</div>
Another Mars Incorporated candy, Skittles, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/social-media-erupts-after-skittles-black-trans-lives-matter-packaging-goes-viral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partnered</a> with GLAAD, an organization that supports radical gender theory, to create special Pride Month packaging for the candy that included slogans like &#8220;Joy Is Resistance&#8221; and &#8220;Black Trans Lives Matter.&#8221;
As part of Pride Month, Skittles promised “to support the LGBTQ+ community by amplifying and celebrating their stories&#8221; and said it will “donate $1 for every Skittles Pride pack sold to GLAAD in support of their ongoing efforts to work through media to combat anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.”
Oreo, owned by Mondelez International, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/your-cookie-must-affirm-your-sexual-lifestyle-oreo-takes-pro-lgbt-stance-in-new-ad-spot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> an ad back in April featuring a young man coming out as gay to his grandmother. There is very little actual product placement in the commercial, focusing almost solely on social messaging.
“Coming out doesn’t happen just once. It’s a journey that needs love and courage every step of the way. Share our new film 👇 and let someone know you’re their #LifelongAlly,&#8221; the caption of the video posted on X said.
“Your cookie must affirm your sexual lifestyle,” Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro quipped. “Again, the chief reply here seems to be: ‘How dare you notice that a cookie company is now running ads on sexual orientation?’ Guys, the story is that every woke corporation now believes it must become an activist LGBTQIA+-%6&amp; outlet. And yes, that’s a story.”
Uncle Ben&#8217;s, owned by Mars Incorporated, and Aunt Jemima, owned by PepsiCo, were both altered in the wake of the death of George Floyd and the subsequent riots <a href="https://www.eater.com/22450623/racist-brand-mascot-logo-changes-aunt-jemima-uncle-bens-land-o-lakes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in order to</a> &#8220;create a more inclusive future.&#8221; Uncle Ben&#8217;s was changed to Ben&#8217;s Original, while Aunt Jemima was rebranded to Pearl Milling Company.
There are non-woke alternatives to some of these products, including <a href="https://www.jeremysrazors.com/collections/jeremys-chocolate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chocolate</a> and <a href="https://www.jeremysrazors.com/collections/hair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">soap</a>, but many small would-be competitors to these giant corporations end up being bought out and joining their portfolio of brands, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/18/america-food-monopoly-crisis-grocery-stores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to The Guardian&#8217;s investigation. Anti-trust laws and regulations could be used to block mergers and curb monopolistic practices, and President Joe Biden has called on government agencies to enforce existing laws. But, as with so many other issues in Washington, lobbying and a lack of bipartisan support has stymied attempts at reform.
This illusion of choice in the grocery store not only hinders free market competition, it also impedes the effectiveness of any potential boycott launched by conservatives to protest these companies&#8217; political stunts. Both the corporate and ideological monopoly held by these companies ensures that conservative customers will have fewer and fewer options for products that don&#8217;t push leftist ideologies.
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General Mills and Quaker Cereal aisle in Publix, grocery store, Florida

Practically Everything You Buy At The Grocery Store Is Owned By A Few Woke Companies

Anti-trust

Ben &amp; Jerry's

Bud Light

Coca-Cola

Kelloggs

Politics

Readers Pass

Skittles

Woke Culture

Days after progressive ice cream company <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-posts-anti-american-message-on-july-4th-critics-blast-their-hypocrisy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s</a> called on the U.S. to return &#8220;stolen Indigenous land,&#8221; a Native American chief said the company&#8217;s headquarters, located in South Burlington, Vermont, is sitting on Western Abenaki land.
Chief Don Stevens, chief of the Nulhegan Band of The Coosuk Abenaki Nation, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/07/07/ben-jerrys-hq-is-on-native-american-land-vermont-chief/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the New York Post in an interview, “If you look at the [Abenaki] traditional way of being, we are place-based people. Before recognized tribes in the state, we were the ones who were in this place.&#8221;
The chief said that he “looks forward to any kind of correspondence with the brand to see how they can better benefit Indigenous people.&#8221; Stevens added that if the company is “sincere&#8221; about advocating for Native Americans, the tribe should be hearing from them about the land.
Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s caught <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-posts-anti-american-message-on-july-4th-critics-blast-their-hypocrisy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backlash</a> over an Independence Day post that read, &#8220;The United States was founded on stolen Indigenous land. This Fourth of July, let&#8217;s commit to returning it.&#8221;
A link attached to the post leads to a site that says the U.S. needs to give back Mount Rushmore, which is in South Dakota.
&#8220;What is the meaning of Independence Day for those whose land this country stole, those who were murdered and forced with brutal violence onto reservations, those who were pushed from their holy places and denied their freedom?&#8221; the site reads. &#8220;The faces on Mount Rushmore are the faces of men who actively worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life, to deny Indigenous people their basic rights.&#8221;
The faces on Mount Rushmore include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This 4th of July, it&#39;s high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: <a href="https://t.co/45smaBmORH">https://t.co/45smaBmORH</a> <a href="https://t.co/a6qp7LXUAE">pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE</a>
&mdash; Ben &amp; Jerry&#39;s (@benandjerrys) <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
South Dakota Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> (R) responded to the post by criticizing the company&#8217;s progressive activist founders for not knowing their &#8220;history.&#8221;
“I’m not going to listen to a bunch of liberal Vermont businessmen who think they know everything about this country and haven’t studied our history,” Noem <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/south-dakota-gov-blasts-ben-jerrys-push-to-return-mt-rushmore-bunch-of-liberal-vermont-businessmen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Thursday. “Right now, Mount Rushmore is the greatest symbol of our freedom and history of the United States of America.”
“We can learn from the men on that mountain,” the governor continued. “We can do better. But, boy, they led us through some challenging times. And I think Americans in this country need some inspiration, and we can gain it from a monument like that.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-posts-anti-american-message-on-july-4th-critics-blast-their-hypocrisy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben &amp; Jerry’s Posts Anti-American Message On July 4th; Critics Blast Their Hypocrisy</a>

Ben & Jerry’s 100% Fairtrade – Photocall

Ben & Jerry’s Says U.S. Needs To Give Back ‘Stolen’ Land. Native American Chief Says Company’s HQ Is On Native Land.

Liberal Activists' Ben & Jerry's HQ On 'Stolen' Land, Says Native Americans Chief

Native Americans

Social Issues

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ben-jerrys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s</a> founder Ben Cohen was arrested Thursday in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) during a protest against the detainment of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange.
Cohen, a co-founder of the popular ice cream brand, was <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/07/06/ben-jerrys-co-founder-ben-cohen-arrested-during-dc-protest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> in Washington, D.C. by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for blocking an entrance to the DOJ. Cohen can be seen in photos from the protest sitting in front of one of the entrances to the DOJ before he was led away in handcuffs by law enforcement.
A left-wing activist group called CODEPINK was demonstrating alongside Cohen. A woman can be seen in photos from the protest holding a pink and black sign reading &#8220;Free Assange.&#8221; Clouds of pink smoke from the protesters are also visible.
<div id="attachment_583503" style="width: 416px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-583503" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-583503" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519966042-300x200.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 06: As a pink smoke bomb clouds the air, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream, refuses to leave an entrance outside the Department of Justice before being arrested July 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cohen was arrested after protesting the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="406" height="270" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519966042-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519966042-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519966042-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519966042.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
&nbsp;
<div id="attachment_583517" style="width: 416px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-583517" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-583517" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519962833-300x200.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 06: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream, refuses to leave an entrance outside the Department of Justice before being arrested July 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cohen was arrested after protesting the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="406" height="270" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519962833-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519962833-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519962833-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519962833.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
In another photo from the demonstration, Cohen stands next to a large sign reading &#8220;Freedom of the Press&#8221; that resembles the Constitution. The sign has been lit on fire.
<div id="attachment_583529" style="width: 414px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-583529" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-583529" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519971354-300x200.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 06: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream, speaks outside the Department of Justice as a copy of the Bill of Rights burns before Cohen was arrested July 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cohen was arrested after protesting the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="404" height="269" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519971354-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519971354-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519971354-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519971354.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
Assange, an Australian activist and hacker, became known in the U.S. during the 2016 presidential election, when he released troves of internal documents from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Clinton campaign on his WikiLeaks website.
The leaks appeared to show that the DNC favored Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination and actively worked to sideline him. After the leaks, DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned, and the DNC apologized to Sanders.
In October, about a month before the 2016 election, Wikileaks started publishing emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in a daily, slow-drip leak.
Those emails <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-blog-updates/2016/10/john-podesta-hillary-clinton-emails-wikileaks-000011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">showed</a> that CNN commentator Donna Brazile had shared questions for a CNN town hall ahead of time with the Clinton campaign. Brazile resigned from CNN after the leaks. She had previously served as interim DNC chairwoman in 2011, and after Schultz resigned in 2016, she took that post again.
In May, 2019, a U.S. federal grand jury <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-charged-18-count-superseding-indictment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indicted</a> Assange on 18 counts related to compromising classified information.
Assange is currently in prison in London, where he has been held since April, 2019. The U.S. is attempting to extradite him, but those efforts have been <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/uk/julian-assange-extradition-wikileaks-us-gbr-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">challenged</a> in British courts.
Cohen called Assange&#8217;s detainment &#8220;outrageous&#8221; and said the whistleblower is suffering simply for publicizing the truth.
&#8220;It’s outrageous. Julian Assange is nonviolent. He is presumed innocent. And yet somehow or other, he has been imprisoned in solitary confinement for four years. That is torture. He revealed the truth, and for that, he is suffering, and that’s we need to do whatever we can to help him and to help preserve democracy, which is based on freedom of the press,&#8221; Cohen <a href="https://www.codepink.org/dojarrest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> during the protest, according to CODEPINK.
“It seems to me that, right now, unless things change, and unless we change them, freedom of the press is going up in smoke,” Cohen said.
<div id="attachment_583523" style="width: 415px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-583523" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-583523" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519973769-300x200.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 06: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream, is arrested outside the Department of Justice July 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cohen was arrested after protesting the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="405" height="270" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519973769-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519973769-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519973769-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519973769.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
&nbsp;
<div id="attachment_583525" style="width: 414px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-583525" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-583525" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519943632-300x200.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 06: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream, is arrested outside the Department of Justice July 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. Cohen was arrested after protesting the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="404" height="269" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519943632-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519943632-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519943632-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/07/GettyImages-1519943632.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s has garnered a reputation for being progressive in its messaging.
On July 4, the Vermont-based ice cream company <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1676214289353572352%7Ctwgr%5Ee4878efc0fade3c3ddea341a914a2d6723b32307%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxbusiness.com%2Fmarkets%2Fben-jerrys-independence-day-message-calls-stolen-indigenous-land-returned-native-americans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> that the U.S. &#8220;exists on stolen Indigenous land&#8221; and called on Americans to &#8220;commit to returning it.&#8221;
Cohen was previously <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/ben-jerrys-co-founder-ben-cohen-arrested-at-protest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> in 2018 while protesting the noise from Vermont National Guard F-35 fighters.

Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Protests At Justice Department For Press Freedom

PHOTOS: Ben & Jerry’s Founder Arrested At DOJ During Julian Assange Protest

Ben & Jerry's Founder Arrested At DOJ During Julian Assange Protest

Crime

Department of Justice

Julian Assange

Washington D.C.

South Dakota Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kristi Noem</a> (R) blasted Ben &amp; Jerry’s anti-American 4th of July message and said the leadership of the company hasn’t studied its history enough.
On Independence Day, Ben &amp; Jerry’s Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1676214289353572352%7Ctwgr%5Eeae99805a53f57fb262ef2167a7361f0332a9179%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fgov-noem-hits-back-ben-jerrys-mt-rushmore-opposition-no-idea-doing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> a message pushing for the return of “stolen Indigenous land,” including Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, to Native American groups. Attached to the tweet was a company article that said Mount Rushmore should be returned first, <a href="https://action.lakotalaw.org/action/land-back" target="_blank" rel="noopener">linking</a> to a petition to return the iconic American landmark. Governor Noem had other thoughts on the matter.
“I&#8217;m not going to listen to a bunch of liberal Vermont businessmen who think they know everything about this country and haven&#8217;t studied our history,” Noem told “<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/gov-noem-hits-back-ben-jerrys-mt-rushmore-opposition-no-idea-doing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox &amp; Friends</a>” Thursday. “Right now, Mount Rushmore is the greatest symbol of our freedom and history of the United States of America.”
The ice cream maker’s article, titled “The US Was Founded on Stolen Indigenous Land—This July 4, Let’s Commit to Returning It,” tries to persuade readers that Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills should be returned to the Lakota people, repeatedly claiming the United States “stole” the land. All the fun and festivities of the 4th of July, Ben &amp; Jerry’s says, “distracts” from this claim.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This 4th of July, it&#39;s high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: <a href="https://t.co/45smaBmORH">https://t.co/45smaBmORH</a> <a href="https://t.co/a6qp7LXUAE">pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE</a>
&mdash; Ben &amp; Jerry&#39;s (@benandjerrys) <a href="https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1676214289353572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The company also says the presidents whose faces adorn the rocks — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln — “actively worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life, to deny Indigenous people their basic rights.”
“We can learn from the men on that mountain,” Noem said. “We can do better. But, boy, they led us through some challenging times. And I think Americans in this country need some inspiration, and we can gain it from a monument like that.&#8221;
Noem said Americans should be proud of their country and “knock off” the claims Ben &amp; Jerry’s is making, prompting host Brian Kilmeade to point out that Ben &amp; Jerry’s is taking “advantage” of the country and its free enterprise system, all while strongly criticizing it.
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1688648178298000&amp;usg=AOvVaw10v0UGh9BJZV8inaPuI6t7">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
Noem isn’t the only politician who has spoken out against the ice cream company. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-posts-anti-american-message-on-july-4th-critics-blast-their-hypocrisy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">questioned</a> what the company was picturing when it said the U.S. should “return” the land. “Expungement of property rights? Repatriation of most Americans to Europe?” Lee asked.
In January, South Dakota Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-bill-aims-to-prevent-destruction-of-mount-rushmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">re-introduced</a> the Mount Rushmore Protection Act, which would prevent Mount Rushmore from being renamed or destroyed amid protests and calls from Native Americans and activist groups. Sixteen other Republicans — and no Democrats — have <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/386/committees?s=1&amp;r=12&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%22%5D%7D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">co-sponsored</a> the bill.
“Our nation’s history is not without its flaws, but there is no doubt the faces on Mount Rushmore represent democracy, freedom and the great American experiment,” Johnson said at the time.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Speaks At The Coolidge And American Project Conference

South Dakota Gov. Blasts Ben & Jerry’s Push To ‘Return’ Mt. Rushmore: ‘Bunch Of Liberal Vermont Businessmen’

American History

General

Kristi Noem

South Dakota

The founders of Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s ice cream, both Jewish, are determined to fight the parent company of Ben &amp; Jerry’s for selling ice cream in the ancient Biblical lands of Judea and Samaria, where most of the events of the post-Exodus events of the Bible took place.
In June, Unilever sold its Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s ice cream business in Israel to Avi Zinger, owner of American Quality Products, who had sued Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s after the company refused to sell its ice cream in Judea and Samaria. In August, a U.S. federal judge ruled for Unilever and against Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s, which was trying to block the sale.
Then-defense minister Yair Lapid, citing a “huge victory” in the court, added, “We will fight delegitimization and the BDS campaign in every arena, whether in the public square, in the economic sphere or in the moral realm,” <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/unilever-sells-ben-jerrys-israeli-business-2022-06-29/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a> reported.
But founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield appeared on MSNBC, where they <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11226031/Unilever-violating-merger-deal-Israel-sale-Ben-Jerrys-founders-MSNBC.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> Unilever had violated their merger deal signed 22 years before. “&#8217;That agreement gave authority over the social mission to the independent board of Ben &amp; Jerry’s,” Cohen claimed. “Unilever has usurped their authority and reversed the decision that was made and we can&#8217;t allow that to happen, we can&#8217;t sit idly by.”
After the initial boycott of Unilever targeting Judea and Samaria, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) issued a warning to Unilever that they had 90 days to reverse the company’s boycott targeting Israel or else face harsh consequences, including Florida <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9858389/DeSantis-gives-Ben-Jerrys-parent-company-90-days-end-ice-cream-makers-Israel-boycott.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barring state pension funds</a> holding investments in Unilever.
DeSantis stated, “By placing Ben &amp; Jerry’s Fortune 500 parent company Unilever on our List of Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel, Florida is sending a message to corporate America that we will defend our strong relationship with the Jewish State. I will not stand idly by as woke corporate ideologues seek to boycott and divest from our ally, Israel,” as the <a href="https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2021/08/03/florida-puts-ben-and-jerrys-parent-company-on-scrutinized-list-over-boycott-of-israels-occupied-territories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orlando Weekly</a> reported.
Ash Williams, executive director &amp; chief investment officer of the state board of administration of Florida, <a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SBA-letter-to-Governor-DeSantis-re-Unilever.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in the letter that the board had received a July 22 letter from DeSantis that noted that Unilever’s decision was “an action that falls under Section 215.4725(1)(a), Florida Statutes (the ‘Statute’), ‘Prohibited investments by the State Board of Administration; companies that boycott Israel.’”
Williams continued, “The Statute defines a ‘boycott of Israel’ as refusing to deal, terminating business activities, or taking other actions to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories, in a discriminatory manner.”
Williams continued:
<blockquote>
Upon Ben &amp; Jerry’s announcement and consistent with statute, we contacted Unilever directly to request an engagement on behalf of the SBA and to make clear that Unilever as owner of Ben &amp; Jerry’s would be affected by Florida law. We indicated that, pursuant to the Statute, the SBA would be prohibited from further investment in Unilever and affiliated companies if they were placed on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List. … The SBA conducted an engagement call with Unilever Investor Relations on July 28, 2021 and received indication that the parent company has no current plan to prevent Ben &amp; Jerry’s from terminating business activities in Israeli-controlled territories.
</blockquote>

Bernie Sanders Rally

Ben And Jerry Still Fighting To Keep Their Ice Cream From Fellow Jews In Israel

Israel

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ben-jerrys">Ben &amp; Jerry’s</a> filed suit against parent company Unilever on Tuesday in an attempt to stop the discharge of its <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/business">business</a> in <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/israel">Israel</a> to a local distributor.
Last summer, the ice cream maker revealed that it would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-ben-jerrys-targets-israel-we-wont-sell-ice-cream-in-judea-and-samaria">stop sales</a> in parts of the Near East purportedly occupied by Israelis — leading to action from lawmakers and legal nonprofits. Last week, Unilever <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-parent-company-slams-boycott-efforts-announces-sales-will-resume-in-judea-and-samaria">announced</a> the discharge of Ben &amp; Jerry’s business in the region to American Quality Products owner Avi Zinger, the current Israel-based license holder, who will sell the ice cream products under both Hebrew and Arabic brand names.
Ben &amp; Jerry’s said in the lawsuit that its independent board of directors did not approve Unilever’s decision, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/05/ben-jerrys-sues-parent-company-unilever-over-sale-of-israeli-business.html">CNBC</a>. The suit argued that Ben &amp; Jerry’s brand image is “synonymous with social activism,” noting that it reserves the “primary responsibility for safeguarding the integrity” of the brand under the acquisition deal. Indeed, Ben &amp; Jerry’s sells flavors <a href="https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2018/02/social-mission-flavors">oriented</a> around social causes such as climate change and racial equity, often donating proceeds to related nonprofits.
Though a judge did not grant Ben &amp; Jerry’s requested temporary restraining order, Unilever was ordered to demonstrate by July 14 why a preliminary injunction against the sale of the Israeli business should not be issued.
Last week, Unilever said in a <a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/">statement</a> that it has “never expressed any support” for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bds">BDS</a>) movement, which argues that companies around the world should refrain from doing business with Israel due to the country’s alleged occupation of territory held by Palestinian Arabs.
“Unilever rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance,” the company explained. “We look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to Israel’s economy and society for many decades to come, and hope that Israelis and Palestinians can reach a peaceful resolution of their conflict.”
Last summer, Gilad Erdan — who serves as Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations — exhorted state governments to oppose the move. “I ask that you consider speaking out against the company’s decision, and taking any other relevant steps, including in relation to your state laws and the commercial dealings between Ben and Jerry’s and your state,” he <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdan-asks-35-us-states-to-activate-anti-bds-laws-against-ben-jerrys/">wrote</a> in a letter to American governors, requesting the activation of laws meant to oppose the BDS movement.
Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a> (R-FL), for example, agreed last summer that the ice cream maker had violated his state’s statutes through the boycott. “As you know, Florida has long had a strong relationship with the State of Israel,” DeSantis <a href="https://www.flgov.com/2021/07/22/governor-ron-desantis-calls-on-state-board-of-administration-to-place-ben-jerrys-on-the-continued-examination-companies-that-boycott-israel-list/">remarked</a>. “As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida does not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people, including boycotts and divestments targeting Israel.”
Last month, Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kathy-hochul">Kathy Hochul</a> (D-NY) gave Ben &amp; Jerry’s a July 6 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-gives-ben-jerrys-parent-company-one-last-chance-to-justify-divestment-from-israel">deadline to explain</a> why its actions did not constitute boycott activity. Hochul&#8217;s Press Secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays remarked that an earlier response from Unilever “did not include important clarifying information central to formulating a determination under the Executive Order.”
In an October 2021 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-dont-know-ben-jerrys-co-founder-stumped-when-pressed-about-israel-boycott-hypocrisy">interview</a>, Ben &amp; Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were pressed by Axios reporter Alexi McCammond about their boycott decision.
“You guys are big proponents of voting rights. Why do you still sell ice cream in Georgia? Texas — abortion bans. Why are you still selling there?” McCammond asked. After a six-second pause, a frazzled Cohen replied, “I don’t know.”
“It’s an interesting question,” he attempted to answer. “I don’t know what that would accomplish. We’re working on those issues, of voting rights, and — I don’t know. You know, I mean, I think you ask a really good question. And I think I’d have to sit down and think about it for a bit.”

BDB95427-9B84-4E80-A4B5-1674C3D48A72_1_201_a

Ben & Jerry’s Takes Action Against Its Parent Company To Continue Boycotting Israel

Ben & Jerry's Sues Its Parent Company So It Can Continue Boycotting Israel

Business

Unilever, the parent company of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ben-jerrys">Ben &amp; Jerry’s</a>, announced on Tuesday that the ice cream maker would resume sales in <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/israel">Israel</a> and rejected the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bds">BDS</a>) movement.
Last summer, Ben &amp; Jerry’s revealed that it would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-ben-jerrys-targets-israel-we-wont-sell-ice-cream-in-judea-and-samaria">stop sales</a> in parts of the Near East purportedly “occupied” by Israelis — leading to action from lawmakers and legal nonprofits. Unilever said on Tuesday that the company sold its Ben &amp; Jerry’s business interests to American Quality Products owner Avi Zinger, the current Israel-based license holder, who will sell the ice cream products throughout Israel under both Hebrew and Arabic brand names.
“Unilever rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance,” a <a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/">statement</a> from the company said. “Antisemitism has no place in any society. We have never expressed any support for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement and have no intention of changing that position.”
Unilever, which employs 2,000 people in Israel, added that the new business arrangement occurred after reviewing Ben &amp; Jerry’s boycott policy. “We look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to Israel’s economy and society for many decades to come, and hope that Israelis and Palestinians can reach a peaceful resolution of their conflict,” the company continued.
International Legal Forum CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, one of the first attorneys to initiate suit against Ben &amp; Jerry’s over its boycott of Israel, said in a statement to The Daily Wire that Unilever’s decision represented a “stunning unequivocal defeat” for the BDS movement, which promotes a total avoidance of the Israeli economy over claims that the nation wrongfully occupies Palestinian land.
“This decision was only made possible after intense legal and financial pressure, including direct negotiations with Unilever leadership,” Ostrovsky said. “A sweet victory indeed for justice and the rule of law, against the dark forces of hate, bigotry and antisemitism of the BDS Movement.”
Several state governments took action against Ben &amp; Jerry’s boycott. Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a> (R-FL), for example, said in July 2021 that the company had violated state law through its policy.
“As you know, Florida has long had a strong relationship with the State of Israel,” DeSantis said. “As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida does not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people, including boycotts and divestments targeting Israel.”
In June 2022, Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kathy-hochul">Kathy Hochul</a> (D-NY) gave Ben &amp; Jerry’s a July 6 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-gives-ben-jerrys-parent-company-one-last-chance-to-justify-divestment-from-israel">deadline to explain</a> why its behavior did not constitute boycott activity. Hochul press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays told The Forward that an earlier response from Unilever “did not include important clarifying information central to formulating a determination under the Executive Order.”
In an October 2021 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-dont-know-ben-jerrys-co-founder-stumped-when-pressed-about-israel-boycott-hypocrisy">interview</a>, Ben &amp; Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were pressed by Axios reporter Alexi McCammond about their boycott decision.
“You guys are big proponents of voting rights. Why do you still sell ice cream in Georgia? Texas — abortion bans. Why are you still selling there?” McCammond asked. After a six-second pause, a frazzled Cohen replied, “I don’t know.”
“It’s an interesting question,” he attempted to answer. “I don’t know what that would accomplish. We’re working on those issues, of voting rights, and — I don’t know. You know, I mean, I think you ask a really good question. And I think I’d have to sit down and think about it for a bit.”

Ben & Jerry’s Parent Company Slams Boycott Efforts, Announces Sales Will Resume In Judea And Samaria

Ben & Jerry's To Resume Sales In West Bank Following Attempted ‘Divestment’

Ben &amp; Jerry’s, which has demonstrated its hostility to the state of Israel in the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ron-desantis-pushes-for-action-against-ben-jerrys-over-israel-boycott">past</a>, has reportedly required new employees to watch video lectures featuring Palestinian activists lying about the Jewish state.
“The videos are part of what the ice cream company dubbed “Scooper Series: Social Mission,” <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2022/06/ben-and-jerrys-ice-cream-israel-palestinian-territories-human-rights-watch/">Jewish Insider</a> reported.
“If you look at the recent escalation that took place in May of 2021, it started over discriminatory efforts to force Palestinians out of their homes in occupied East Jerusalem as part of this larger policy,” Omar Shakir, who was <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-years-long-legal-battle-israel-expels-human-rights-watch-local-director/">expelled from Israel</a> in 2019, blusters.
Shakir was referring to Sheik Jarrah — known to Jews as the Shimon Hatzaddik neighborhood — which lies in Jerusalem just north of the Old City. The tomb and its compound were purchased in 1876 and settled in 1891 as a Jewish neighborhood. &#8220;In 1936, the neighborhood was attacked by Arab rioters and later conquered by the Arab Legion in 1948, before being annexed to the kingdom of Jordan in 1950,&#8221; <a href="https://www.jpost.com/opinion/op-ed-contributors/we-all-live-in-shimon-hatzaddik">The Jerusalem Post</a> noted. &#8220;The Jordanian conquerors allowed Arab families to occupy abandoned Jewish homes, in violation of the rights of the property owners.”
After Israel retook Jerusalem in 1967, the Jewish committee that had purchased the land began to resettle the area with Jews by showing deeds for the properties before Israeli courts.
When Shakir was expelled, the Israeli Strategic Affairs Ministry <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-years-long-legal-battle-israel-expels-human-rights-watch-local-director/">explained,</a> “Omar Shakir, as the District and Supreme Courts have already determined, is an active BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] propagator [sic] who zealously promotes boycotts against Israel. Just days before the final ruling in his case, he again expressed open support for the boycott and isolation of the entire State of Israel.”
Shakir continued in the video for Ben &amp; Jerry’s employees, “The policy also extends to the Gaza Strip, Although the Israeli government withdrew its settler population and ground forces in 2005, the Israeli government continues to exercise control over Gaza.”
The deadly rockets and balloons sent by Hamas from Gaza in recent years would tend to belie the claim that Israel controls Gaza.
“Shakir, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-years-long-legal-battle-israel-expels-human-rights-watch-local-director/">who was expelled</a> from Israel in 2019, had <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/former-ben-and-jerrys-employee-says-anti-israel-activist-spoke-to-board-ahead-of-boycott-decision/">reportedly counseled</a> the Ben &amp; Jerry’s board last year, ahead of the ice cream company’s decision to stop selling its products in what it referred to as ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory,’” Jewish Insider noted.
Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s has referred to the Biblical areas of Judea and Samaria as “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” <a href="https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement">writing</a>, “We believe it is inconsistent with our values for Ben &amp; Jerry’s ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).”

Ben & Jerry’s

New Ben & Jerry’s Employees Forced To Watch Anti-Israel Videos: Report

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Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kathy-hochul">Kathy Hochul</a> (D-NY) issued one final warning to Unilever — the parent company of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ben-jerrys">Ben &amp; Jerry’s</a> — before she considers divesting state funds from the firm due to its boycott in parts of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/israel">Israel</a>.
Last summer, the ice cream manufacturer — which frequently endorses Left-leaning policies — revealed that it would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-ben-jerrys-targets-israel-we-wont-sell-ice-cream-in-judea-and-samaria">cease sales</a> in parts of the Near East purportedly “occupied” by Israelis. In response, New York’s state pension fund <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nys-huge-pension-fund-yanks-over-100-million-from-ben-jerrys-parent-company">pulled</a> $111 million from Unilever in October 2021 since Ben &amp; Jerry’s move violated policies against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement. More than 30 states have similar policies.
In November, Hochul sent a 90-day warning letter to Unilever asking for a justification of Ben &amp; Jerry’s move. Unilever vice president and general counsel David Schwarz said in a letter to Hochul that Ben &amp; Jerry’s has “stated publicly that its action is not part of the BDS movement,” according to <a href="https://forward.com/news/504914/bds-ben-jerrys-new-york-hochul-divestment-israel/">The Forward</a>.
Schwarz added, “Unilever has never expressed any support for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement.”
New York’s Office of General Services followed up in May requesting a “detailed explanation” of why Ben &amp; Jerry’s action does not constitute a boycott activity. Several pro-Israel organizations sent a letter to Hochul last week urging immediate action.
“More than three months have passed since your 90-day deadline. More than 10 months have passed since Ben &amp; Jerry’s instituted an antisemitic boycott against Israel, which Unilever refused to override,” the letter said. “Consistent with how forcefully other states have responded to Unilever’s and Ben &amp; Jerry’s boycott, New York must finally take decisive action, and add Unilever and Ben &amp; Jerry’s to its boycott list.”
Hochul is now giving Unilever one last chance to prove by July 6 that Ben &amp; Jerry’s has not engaged in boycott activity. Hochul press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays told The Forward that the initial response from Unilever “did not include important clarifying information central to formulating a determination under the Executive Order.”
Beyond New York, other states have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ron-desantis-pushes-for-action-against-ben-jerrys-over-israel-boycott">taken action</a> to pull funding from Unilever. Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), for example, said in July 2021 that Ben &amp; Jerry’s had violated state law by boycotting Israel.
“As you know, Florida has long had a strong relationship with the State of Israel. As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida does not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people, including boycotts and divestments targeting Israel,” DeSantis wrote.
In November 2021, Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives — noting that Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Texas had jettisoned Unilever shares — likewise <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-and-democratic-lawmakers-urge-sec-to-examine-ben-jerrys-israel-boycott">asked</a> the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to examine Ben &amp; Jerry’s actions.
In an October 2021 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-dont-know-ben-jerrys-co-founder-stumped-when-pressed-about-israel-boycott-hypocrisy">interview</a>, Ben &amp; Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were pressed about their boycott decision.
“You guys are big proponents of voting rights. Why do you still sell ice cream in Georgia? Texas — abortion bans. Why are you still selling there?” Alexi McCammond of Axios asked. After a six-second pause, a frazzled Cohen replied, “I don’t know.”
“It’s an interesting question,” he attempted to answer. “I don’t know what that would accomplish. We’re working on those issues, of voting rights, and — I don’t know. You know, I mean, I think you ask a really good question. And I think I’d have to sit down and think about it for a bit.”

Kathy Hochul

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Gives Ben & Jerry’s Parent Company One Last Chance To Justify ‘Divestment’ From Israel

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Gives Ben & Jerry's Parent Company Final Warning Over ‘Divestment’ From Israel

New York

Four members of the House of Representatives asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to examine Ben &amp; Jerry’s halt on ice cream sales in certain parts of Israel.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-ben-jerrys-targets-israel-we-wont-sell-ice-cream-in-judea-and-samaria">The Daily Wire</a> reported earlier this year, Ben &amp; Jerry’s — which often endorses left-leaning policies — decided to stop selling its products in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The company, wholly owned by Unilever yet retaining its own Board of Directors, said that it is “inconsistent with our values” to sell in “Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The <a href="https://jewishinsider.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/29094120/Unilever-Congressional-Letter_Final.pdf">letter</a> to SEC chairman Gary Gensler — signed by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) — argued that the company’s policy is inconsistent with many state laws:
<blockquote>We have been informed that, Ben &amp; Jerry&#8217;s has halted the sale of its products in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We also understand that the actions by Ben &amp; Jerry’s disregards numerous United States’ state laws, which requires a state to divest from companies that participate in such boycotts. To date, Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas have taken steps to divest of Unilever&#8217;s common shares. Additionally, 30 other states have enacted &#8220;anti-BDS&#8221; laws, all of which may consider divestiture in response to public appeal.</blockquote>
The lawmakers also noted that Unilever’s federal filings neglected to acknowledge the business risks of divesting from certain parts of Israel:
<blockquote>It is also our understanding that Unilever may have violated Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to material omissions in the 6-K. Given the potential negative impact of such material omissions, which is why we believe the SEC should ask Unilever to revise the “Principal Risk Factors” section of their 6-K to fully and accurately disclose the potential material adverse consequences to the company based by the claimed independence of the Ben &amp; Jerry’s Board of Directors, and the specific potential effects of the Ben &amp; Jerry’s boycott.
We have also been informed that the 6-K filed by Unilever fails to include specific language that details the potential adverse consequences to Unilever created by the Ben &amp; Jerry’s boycott in its “Principal Risk Factors” section.</blockquote>
Indeed, New York’s Common Retirement Fund <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nys-huge-pension-fund-yanks-over-100-million-from-ben-jerrys-parent-company">announced</a> in October that it would jettison its $111 million in Unilever holdings.
“After a thorough review, the New York State Common Retirement Fund will divest its equity holdings in Unilever PLC,” said New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat. “Our review of the activities of the company, and its subsidiary Ben &amp; Jerry’s, found they engaged in BDS activities under our pension fund’s policy.”
In August, franchise owners also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/backlash-from-inside-ben-jerrys-franchisees-losing-money-want-israel-boycott-gone">asked</a> Ben &amp; Jerry’s to rescind the boycott.
“There is a danger that the pursuit of social justice will descend into political correctness or result in the adoption of overly simplistic solutions by people who share a single view of the world that misconstrue complex problems in which multiple claims of justice are implicated,” the letter stated. “The imposition of such narrow prescriptions does not advance social justice or the pursuit of a values-led business in any meaningful way.”

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Republican And Democratic Lawmakers Urge SEC To Examine Ben & Jerry’s Israel Boycott

Ice Cream

On Thursday, the New York state comptroller revealed that the state’s enormous pension fund would divest its $111 million in investments from Unilever, the firm that owns Ben &amp; Jerry’s, because Ben &amp; Jerry’s had refused to sell ice cream in the areas of Judea and Samaria in Israel.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who manages the $263 billion state Common Retirement Fund, cited the state comptroller’s policy implemented in 2016 that said Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) of Israel activities harmed Israel.
DiNapoli told the <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/10/29/new-york-pulls-pension-funds-from-ben-jerrys-over-boycott-of-israel-occupied-territories/">New York Post</a>, “After a thorough review, the New York State Common Retirement Fund will divest its equity holdings in Unilever PLC. Our review of the activities of the company, and its subsidiary Ben &amp; Jerry’s, found they engaged in BDS activities under our pension fund’s policy.”
Former Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who served with DiNapoli in the state assembly, lauded the decision, saying, “This is wonderful news. God bless Tom DiNapoli. … BDS equals anti-Semitism and Comptroller DiNapoli  stood up against hate.”
In late July, DiNapoli’s director of corporate governance, Liz Gordon, <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/07/23/ny-pension-fund-puts-unilever-on-notice-for-ben-jerrys-sales-ban/">warned</a> Unilever CEO Alan Jope, “The Fund views BDS activities as a potential threat to Israel, its economy, and, as a result, the Fund’s relevant investments. Further, a number of U.S. states have acted or are considering actions to penalize companies that engage in such behavior. … As a result, companies that engage in BDS activities may face legal, reputational and financial risks.”
The Post reported, “JOPE gave a circular response on August 4 defending Ben &amp; Jerry’s actions, saying it doesn’t intervene in actions taken by the ‘independent’ boards or the ‘social mission’ of its brands.”
He wrote, “Unilever has a strong and longstanding commitment to our business in Israel. We employ nearly 2,000 people in the country across our four factories and head office, and we have invested approximately $250 million in the Israeli market over the last decade. … On this decision, it was no different. Ben &amp; Jerry’s has also made it clear that although the brand will not be present in the West Bank from 2023, it will remain in Israel through a different business arrangement.”
The Daily Wire <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/ben-jerrys-founders-admit-money-is-why-they-dont-boycott-sales-in-states-whose-policies-they-disagree-with-israel-is-a-drop-in-the-bucket/">reported</a> in mid-October that Ben &amp; Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield admitted that money was the main reason they don’t boycott sales in states whose policies they disagree with, in the context of their Israel boycott enacted in July:
<blockquote>Axios reporter Alexi McCammond pressed Cohen and Greenfield on their decision to not sell in Israel, but to continue selling in states that have been deemed problematic by Democrats, such as Georgia with its new voting laws, or Texas with its ban on abortions after a heartbeat is detected.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Cohen. “I mean &#8211; It’s an interesting question. I don’t know what that would accomplish. We’re working on those issues, of voting rights, and&#8230; I don’t know. You know, I mean &#8211; I think you ask a really good question. And, I think, I’d have to sit down and think about it for a bit [&#8230;.] By that reasoning, we should not sell any ice cream anywhere. I’ve got issues with what’s being done in most every state and most every country.”</blockquote>

Florida Plans To Cut Financial Ties With Ben & Jerry’s Over Israel Boycott

NY’s Huge Pension Fund Yanks Over $100 Million From Ben & Jerry’s Parent Company

Ben &amp; Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield admitted in an interview with Axios that money is the main reason they don’t boycott sales in states whose policies they disagree with, in the context of their Israel boycott enacted in July.
Axios reporter Alexi McCammond pressed Cohen and Greenfield on their decision to not sell in Israel, but to continue selling in states that have been deemed problematic by Democrats, such as Georgia with its new voting laws, or Texas with its ban on abortions after a heartbeat is detected.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Cohen. “I mean &#8211; It’s an interesting question. I don’t know what that would accomplish. We’re working on those issues, of voting rights, and&#8230; I don’t know. You know, I mean &#8211; I think you ask a really good question. And, I think, I’d have to sit down and think about it for a bit [&#8230;.] By that reasoning, we should not sell any ice cream anywhere. I’ve got issues with what’s being done in most every state and most every country.”
At that point, Greenfield attempted to distinguish Israel’s actions from those of other states by claiming that Israel’s actions were illegal under international law. Perspectives on the legality of Israel’s settlement along the West Bank have long been divided. In 2019, previous Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <a href="https://2017-2021.state.gov/secretary-michael-r-pompeo-remarks-to-the-press/index.html">assessed</a> that their settlement wasn’t inconsistent with international law entirely, citing perspectives from strong leadership in the past such as previous President Ronald Reagan.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Axios on HBO: Ben and Jerry&#039;s Founders on Sales in the Occupied Palestinian Territory | HBO" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4mwoiAUM6nA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Cohen had made it clear earlier in the interview that a total boycott against all things they disagreed with politically wasn’t an option. McCammond had asked Cohen and Greenfield why they didn’t stop selling their product completely to protest Israel. Though Cohen said that wasn’t feasible, he didn’t offer any further explanation as to why.
“I disagree with the U.S. policy [but] we couldn’t stop selling in the U.S.,” said Cohen.
Cohen also disagreed with McCammond’s assertion that their boycott impacts Israel’s economy adversely.
“I don’t view it as withholding money &#8211; it’s just saying we don’t want our ice cream sold in the occupying territories,” stated Cohen. “[It doesn’t affect the economy] much. It’s a drop in the bucket.”
Ben &amp; Jerry’s <a href="https://finance.walla.co.il/item/3442683">made up</a> over 75 percent of Israel’s premium ice cream market share.
“So then is that really a big stand?” asked McCammond.
“It’s not a financial stance, it’s a policy stance,” asserted Cohen.
Greenfield then insinuated that Ben &amp; Jerry’s political stances were influenced by their money-making potential. 
“Ben &amp; Jerry’s publicly supported Occupy Wallstreet, Black Lives Matter [&#8230;] but over the years, the company continues to sell more ice cream and thrive,” explained Greenfield.
Greenfield also took issue with the characterization of their decision to stop selling their product in Israel as a “boycott,” which he says has caused states like <a href="https://3aa0b5fb-bb2e-4872-9184-5e5295e8fb3c.filesusr.com/ugd/8bb536_e2cfd32637a64f96bbaf8b5a9c2a4ecd.pdf">Arizona</a> and <a href="https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/news/2021/09152021.shtml">New Jersey</a> to divest millions from Unilever.
“I think it’s largely based on misinformation,” asserted Greenfield. “I think Ben &amp; Jerry’s and Unilever are being characterized as ‘boycotting Israel,’ which is not the case at all.”
Their initial <a href="https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement">announcement</a> to end sales in “Occupied Palestinian Territory” does include the distinction that they aren’t boycotting Israel. The company justified its claim that their decision wasn’t a boycott by promising that it would “stay in Israel through a different business arrangement.” They have yet to announce this arrangement. However, their actions are a boycott by definition.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for The Daily Wire and AZ Free News. Have something you think the mainstream media won’t cover? Send tips to corinnejournalist@gmail.com.

Ben & Jerry’s Founders Admit Money Is Why They Don’t Boycott Sales In States Whose Policies They Disagree With: ‘Israel Is A Drop In The Bucket’

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