New York Divests Pension Funds from Unilever over Anti-Israel Stance

The State of New York‘s comptroller announced Thursday that he will divest the state’s pensions from British conglomerate Unilever, because of subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s decision to eliminate sales of its products in the “occupied territories” of Israel — which under the Jewish nation’s laws, forbids it to conduct business anywhere in the country.

The New York Post reports:

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (pictured above) —  the sole manager of the $263 billion state Common Retirement Fund — said Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in the disputed Israeli-Palestinian territories in July violated his office’s policy against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction of Israel.

 

As a result, the comptroller is yanking $111 million in equity investments from Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s parent company.

 

“After a thorough review, the New York State Common Retirement Fund will divest its equity holdings in Unilever PLC. Our review of the activities of the company, and its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s, found they engaged in BDS activities under our pension fund’s policy,” DiNapoli said in a statement to The Post

 

Allies of Israel applauded DiNapoli for standing up for the Jewish State.

 

“This is wonderful news. God bless Tom DiNapoli,” said former Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind. “BDS equals anti-semitism and Comptroller DiNapoli  stood up against hate.”

The move follows similar divestment actions against Unilever by Arizona, New Jersey, and Florida. Texas and North Carolina have also hinted at taking similar steps under their states anti-BDS laws.

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Tags: anti-Semitism, Ben and Jerry's, Boycott Divestment and Sanctions, divestment, Israel, New York, Unilever