Ben & Jerry’s is well-known for its radical left-wing activism.
Texas’ comptroller’s Office says it will investigate whether Ben & Jerry’s, an ice cream manufacturer, should be blacklisted by the state for announcing that it would no longer do business with Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.
Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller, made the announcement two days after Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell ice-cream in the “Occupied Palestinian Territory”. This term is used by the United Nations to refer to territories that include the West Bank and Gaza Strip that have been occupied since 1967.
Ben & Jerry’s is well-known for its support of progressive causes. The written statement was posted after a conflict that left over 200 people dead. Most of these were civilians living in the territories occupied Israel.
Hegar stated that he had directed his staff to investigate whether Ben & Jerry’s statement would be in violation of Chapter 808 of Texas Government Code. This prohibits the state of Texas from awarding contracts to companies that support a boycott or “Israeli-controlled territories.”
“Texans have made it very clear that they stand with Israel and its people. We are against all those wishing to undermine Israel’s economy and its people,” he said.
Ben & Jerry’s stated that it will not sell ice cream to territories occupied Israel but will keep it in Israel under “a different arrangement.”
Chapter 808, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2017, was meant to counter the boycott, divest and sanction movement, which encouraged companies to boycott Israel in an effort to change its policies and attitudes toward Palestinians.
According to the Comptroller’s Office’s list, nine companies were listed under Chapter 808 in June.
After the company said it would no longer allow Israeli-owned rentals within the West Bank, Texas banned short-term rental website Airbnb. Airbnb later backtracked from its decision.
