The Jewish co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s dished out $1,500 worth of ice cream at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Ben Cohen hurriedly responded to Republican party charges of violating campaign contributions by saying that he and said he and co-founder Jerry Greenfield’s contribution was reported to federal officials and was within the limits for individual contributions. Ben & Jerry’s now is owned by Unilever.
The Jewish Press.com reported here last month:
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Jew who is not involved in organized religion, will toss his hat in the political rang today and announce he is challenging Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic party’s nominee for president in 2016.
We would write that he is throwing his kippa into the ring except for the faint possibility that he even owns one.
As for Judaism, he is not actively involved, and the Burlington, Vermont Free Press reports:
When it comes to the impact of religion on his life, he said, ‘I find myself very close to the teachings of Pope Francis,’ and he described the pope as ‘incredibly smart and brave.’
Ben & Jerry’s has been active in promoting liberal issues, including marriage for homosexuals, which is sugar-coated with the term “marriage equality,” global warming and legalizing marijuana.
It has come up with a new flavor called “Save Our Swirled” to promote public awareness of the global warming.
It will not be surprising if it comes up with a new flavor to tour Sanders, a long-time Independent and socialist who is challenging Hillary Clinton to be the Democratic candidate in the 2016 party primaries and convention.
Ben & Jerry’s is known as being far from the nationalist camp and refers to Judea and Samaria as the “occupied territories,” tried to stay clear of political issues in Israel. It probably will not go so far as to advertise a “Two-State Flavor,” maybe a mixture of za’atar and falafel.
Or perhaps it could be called NetanAbbas, but that probably would probably be boycotted by the Arab world.
Cohen told Business Insider a new flavor might be called “Bernie’s Rebellion.” He said,”What would be in it? All good things. I mean, there might be some chocolate chips molded in the shape of a cap that you wear for graduation to symbolize his stance in favor of free college education and reduced student loan rates. I think that there might be equal numbers of peanuts and pecans to symbolize his initiatives to reduce economic inequality.”
The Boycott Israel movement wants a boycott of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream because the company sells it products to Jews in Judea and Samaria, known to President Barack Obama as “illegal” and “illegitimate” Jews. On the other hand, so does Coca-Cola and the makers of Mars candy bars, but BDS has a fix on the ice cream maker.
The boycotters were aghast last year when Ben & Jerry’s Israeli franchise posted a picture on its Facebook page of IDF soldiers in the Golan Heights licking their ice cream the firm handed out.
Ben & Jerry’s stated last month:
We have conducted business in Israel with our licensee there since 1987. Between our local owner/operator, and visits to the region by our CEO, select Board of Directors members, and a few of our Global Leadership Team members, we are keenly aware of how complex the situation can be.
Ben & Jerry’s corporate organization, based in the U.S., does not retain any profits from the business in Israel. The company remains committed to contributing 100% of the net licensing fee to foster multicultural programs and values-led ingredient sourcing initiatives in the region….