Herzog calls Ben & Jerry's boycott of Israel 'a new kind of terrorism'

By i24
Posted on 07/21/21 | News Source: i24

Decision to end ice cream sales in West Bank draws harsh condemnation from newly-elected president

Israel's President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday called boycotts against Israel "a new kind of terrorism" following the decision by US ice cream company Ben & Jerry's to no longer sell its products in the West Bank.

"The boycott of Israel is a new sort of terrorism, economic terrorism," Herzog said at a ceremony commemorating past prime ministers and presidents of Israel. "Terrorism tries to harm the citizens of Israel and the economy of Israel. We must oppose this boycott and terrorism in any form."

Herzog added: “The BDS campaign is not pursuing peace and is seeking to undermine the State of Israel’s existence.”

The Vermont-based subsidiary of British conglomerate Unilever announced on Monday that its ice cream would no longer be sold in the "Occupied Palestinian Territory," drawing harsh condemnations from Israeli government officials, who warned of a strong response.

Israel’s Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked on Wednesday during a tour of the local Ben & Jerry's factory called for a boycott of Ben & Jerry's in the US "until it reverses its despicable decision."