Following the famous ice cream maker’s controversial July 19 statement – headlined with “Ben & Jerry’s Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” – the franchise owners of the shop on 104th and Broadway made their own statement which opposes these beliefs.
A July 26 statement by franchise owners Joel Gasman & Family reads that “As independent franchise owners with Ben & Jerry’s, we feel the recent actions by its corporate office do not reflect our personal views, and we’re saddened by the impact that this has had on our business and the Jewish community. We are proud Jews, Americans, and active supporters of the New York Jewish community and State of Israel. We think the only concern you should have when coming into our store is deciding if you want rainbow or chocolate sprinkles!”
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The message continued to state, “Starting today we’ll be donating 10% of our profits to State of Israel educational causes. At this time, we ask for your support so that we can continue to operate and, in turn, support our community.”
As of writing, the post has received 338 comments, over 1,300 likes and over 1,000 shares.
While reactions were mixed, most comments appeared to support the local business owner’s decision. However, some who expressed support for them personally were still adamant about going with a different ice cream brand.
“I feel for you guys. It’s not your fault, but I can’t buy this ice cream if Ben and Jerry’s could somehow benefit from it. I’m so sorry but B&J must go bankrupt as far as I’m concerned,” wrote one commenter.
“I feel for you as business owners – you went into the ice cream business – not politics and basically got screwed,” wrote another. “But as much as I would want to support you, at this point there is nothing that would convince me to purchase Ben and Jerry’s – a big pivot/change on your part is needed here I believe.”
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In an interview with The Jewish Press, franchise owner Joel Gasman, who’s been running the store since 1999, said he’s lost some business since the announcement by Ben & Jerry’s corporate office. “I definitely had some people cancel orders and I had people complain,” he told the publication, adding that he “wanted people to know we are not in accord with what Ben & Jerry’s has done. A few people walked in the store and they came in all prepared to really give it to me…. I put my hand out and I said ‘If I didn’t own the store I’d be right outside with you right now. Basically, I agree with you 100 percent.'”
The Ben & Jerry’s of the UWS is located at 2722 Broadway at 104th Street. Here’s their web page.
“The message continued to state, “Starting today we’ll be donating 10% of our profits to State of Israel educational causes. At this time, we ask for your support so that we can continue to operate and, in turn, support our community.””
Does that support mean support for the Apartheid policies inflicted on Palestinians in the West Bank?
Does that support mean support of the near siege of Gaza?
Like Yaj, I am wondering why B&J corporate stopped at the Occupied Territories. If they disagree with Israeli policies (which is NOT the same as being against the Israeli people or even the existence of the State of Israel), why not withdraw from Israel completely? Their decision seems half-assed and trying to have it both ways: protesting Israeli policies, but also maintaining a revenue stream from that country.
You know it’s tragically comic. We Jews who understand our history will be ready for these anti-Semites should they actually arise against us. You? They’ll round you up, load you in the back of a truck and behead you, because that’s what observant jihadists do. You apparently never saw “A Gentleman’s Agreement,” a film made just before the reconstitution of the State of Israel. You are a nobody without a Jewish State to back you up. Don’t delude yourself.
I am a little fuzzy on the context of your statement. But let me add this.
We Jews who know our history also know that Israel is doing exactly to the Palestinians what the Nazis did to us. We have forced them into two “camps” (instead of a few). And the only difference is that the Nazis slaughtered us wholesale, while we are simply slaughtering the Palestinians more slowly, through overcrowding, food and other blockades, and asymmetrical warfare.
Israel has a right to exist, despite the poor planning of its founding, and the huge land grab from the Palestinians, via the Balfour Declaration and U.N. Resolution 181. What’s done is done, and you are correct that it is “needed” in some ways. But that does not excuse the apartheid-like policies of Israel vis-a-vis the Palestinians.
Your comment is an obscenity..
I’m with you Scott. These are the lies that motivate the left. Truth is not a virtue nor important to them.
There are as many antisemites and/or Israel bashers on the political right as on the left. If you don’t believe that, go have a look at David Duke’s website.
The truth hurts….
Although I disagree with you strongly Ian, you are a compassionate man trying to do good with the Open Hearts Initiative. Shabbat Shalom.
Thank you. That may well be the nicest thing any has said to me about my work with OHI. In fact, it may be the ONLY nice thing anyone has said. 😉
Guess where I won’t be buying my ice cream? Free Palestine.
In an opinion essay in the New York Times, founders of Ben & Jerry ice cream reiterated their support for Israel and that they don’t support the BDS movement. For Jews in particular, opinions about Israel, it’s people and its policies is multifaceted. Deciding to not buy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream due to a view of the Founder’s position is ones personal choice. I believe the Founders would agree with that though also be disappointed the nuance of their stance is not understood.
I see no nuance. Given that the policies of the Israeli government – with which they disagree – have created the situation in the Occupied Territories which led to the company’s withdrawal from those areas, then they should be withdrawing from ALL of Israel. That would be a consistent philosophy and practice.
And one can refuse to support BDS and yet “boycott” ALL of Israel based on the government’s policies in a given area.
I believe that B&J’s is trying to have it both ways, and maintain a revenue source while CLAIMING to be outraged by a given policy – their past left-wing philosophies and actions notwithstanding.
In the absence of a a two-state peace treaty, there is no subtlety in demanding that Israel immediately withdraw from the entire West Bank.
Given a Hamas or Hamas-like entity in that area, it would mean the deaths of millions of Israeli Jews.
And that is what makes Ben & Jerry and their company so despicable.
OK so they want to pressure Israel — but to do what, exactly?
Commit suicide by unilaterally withdrawing from the entire West Bank, with no peace agreement from Palestinian Arabs?
It’s as if nobody knew the history at all.
The original company decision does nothing to help create a path towards a two-state resolution of the conflict.
Internalized antisemitism is as tediousin Jews as internalized homophobia is in closet cases.
Israel has made and kept peace treaties with many Arab nations.
The split second that a substantial majority of Palestinian Arabs wanted to live beside Israel in peace, with a country of their own, it would happen.
Meanwhile, back in 1947 when a two-state plan was on offer, and the Jews of Israel accepted it, Arafat’s uncle the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was (still) calling for the annihilation of all Jews in Arab countries including this part of the Middle East.
“Kauf nicht bei Juden” is antisemitism, but I do appreciate these franchise owners’ statement.
“The split second that a substantial majority of Palestinian Arabs wanted to live beside Israel in peace, with a country of their own, it would happen.”
You are either woefully ignorant or you live in a dream world that is divorced from the historical political reality of the past 70 years.
Of all the truly miserable countries in the world, Israel seems to attract the attention of the woke. The woke are cowards. No one will cancel them, impact their businesses, lives or reputations for their despicable positions. China the seriously evil country punishes their detractors. Ben and Jerry’s has been a hard left brand for decades without any ill effect. Perhaps the public has had enough this time.
I am not understanding your reference to “woke” in this instance. It sounds somewhat gratuitous. It sound like you think “woke” people care about what Israel does, but not about what China does. That would be a misunderstanding of the word and the people who consider themselves such.
That said, I think the word “woke” has become overly used (and misused), and is largely used by the right to demonize certain people. Having a knowledge and understanding of history – and wanting to “correct” certain aspects of it, should not be something to be disdained or criticized.
Apartheid is apartheid no matter where it is practiced.
Most of us don’t think through the many ways business and politics are intertwined.
While I like to invest in the Stock Market, I stay away from carbon fuels and weapons.
But I am sure such a straightforward approach is pitifully simplistic in the complexities of the modern market. The Ben and Jerry’s op ed in the Times was sensible and principled. I give them credit for trying to clarify what they stand for.
Did they go far enough? Or too far? Let me think on that while I munch on Chunky Monkey…
I’ve asked and read and, I believe, like most, I don’t get that Israel can morally or legally “occupy” anywhere outside their country. Nor, I feel, should any country take a prejudicial stand inside their borders against their own residents.
I do know that by taking a political stand as a small shop, the Gasmans are subjecting their own livelihood to the whims of their clients, each of whom, in a small competitive space, matters significantly to the bottom line.
Whereas Ben and Jerry, the “BIG Company”, is/are known for taking stands and doing what is morally good (as determined by me). I guess I feel like a libtard snowflake eating their ice cream. And that’s a good thing… doubly sweet.
Today, I’m going to boycott the shop on 104th and Broadway for being so abjectly and partisanly ridiculous even if I don’t get the issue at hand…
If they care about Israel they would not be in the Ben & Jerry’s business. Period.
10% of their profits going to God knows what is nothing.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Great idea. How about cleaning up your sidewalk?