A selection of Ben & Jerry's ice cream in Israel. (Photo/JTA-Linda Gradstein) News Politics Florida halts new investments in Ben & Jerry’s parent company over West Bank sales boycott Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | October 26, 2021 Florida state entities will cease new investments in Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s parent company, as of Tuesday, because the ice cream maker plans to stop selling its product in the West Bank. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, in July triggered a 90-day review mandated by Florida law which mandates divestment from companies boycotting Israel. Ben & Jerry’s says it is ending its sales only in the West Bank and is seeking the means to continue sales in Israel, but Florida law does not make the distinction between Israel and the West Bank. As of today, the 90-day review, during which companies may notify Florida of any plans to reverse course, ends. Unilever, which has disavowed the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, has previously said it has no control over Ben & Jerry’s business decisions, due to an internal agreement between the conglomerate and the ice cream manufacturer’s independent board. The ruling over new investments does not affect the $39 million Florida already has invested in Unilever, the Florida Politics website reported. At least eight states have initiated reviews of investments in Unilever in the wake of Ben & Jerry’s West Bank pullout. Ron Kampeas JTA D.C. bureau chief JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Northern California NorCal teacher on leave after Holocaust vaccine comparison TV Yiddish lesson for Jon Hamm in new season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Organic Epicure Meet Carmel Greenberg, the first Israeli woman head winemaker in Napa Books In new book, Palo Alto JCC boss wants you to ‘do Jewish’ Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up