Arizona moved to divest from Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, over the ice-cream maker’s decision to stop selling its products in the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem, becoming the first state to take such action.
Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced on Tuesday that the state will pull some $143 million of investments from the multinational firm by Sept. 21.
According to a statement from her office, Yee said, “I gave Unilever PLC, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, an ultimatum: Reverse the action of Ben & Jerry’s or divest itself of Ben & Jerry’s to come into compliance with Arizona law or face the consequences. They chose the latter.”
Several other states have also announced reviews that could lead to divesting from Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Maryland and Rhode Island.
Israel’s Consul General to the Southwest Hillel Newman, who met with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey in late July on the issue, told JNS that he welcomed the decision.
“We are delighted that the state of Arizona, under the leadership of a true friend of Israel, Governor Ducey, the attorney general and the team see boycotts against Israel for what they are—a form of anti-Semitism,” said Newman.