TALLAHASSEE -- The state of Florida may pull its investments out of Unilever, a massive worldwide consumer products company, after giving notice over one of its subsidiaries and its plans to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank and Gaza.
Ash Williams, executive director of the State Board of Administration, says Unilever is on a list of "scrutinized companies" after Ben & Jerry's announced plans to stop selling products in what it calls "occupied Palestinian territories." That starts the clock rolling. If that decision isn't reversed within 90 days, Unilever would be banned from receiving state investment or contracts. Florida has a law banning dealings with companies that boycott Israel, as part of the so-called "Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions" movement.
Williams wrote that Unilever showed no indication that it would overrule the Ben & Jerry's move.
Ben & Jerry's issued a statement saying it could no longer sell ice cream in an area it describes as "occupied Palestinian territory."
In a news release Tuesday, the governor's office criticized the stance of Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever, saying there is “nothing progressive about boycotting the only democracy in the Middle East.”
In addition to Ben & Jerry's, Unilever's household products include Hellman's mayonnaise, Dove soap, Lipton tea and -- ironically -- Klondike ice cream bars.
Information from the News Service of Florida was used in this report.
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