Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Global PC Makers Eye Chinese Memory Chip Suppliers Amid Ongoing Supply Crunch 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
Ben & Jerry’s is a popular ice cream brand that is owned by Unilever. Recently, the company pulled out the frozen dessert in Palestine, and this move caused various unexpected reactions.
While the withdrawal of Ben & Jerry’s in the Palestinian market could be business in nature, the government has gotten involved. It was reported that the Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, issued a stern warning to Unilever for its decision to stop selling the ice cream brand in the country.
Ben & Jerry’s announcement and why it is leaving Palestine
It was reported that leaders in Israel want to take legal measures after Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was pulled out in territories being occupied by Israelis. The prime minister also mentioned there will be severe consequences for Unilever’s decision.
According to Reuters, Ben & Jerry's announcement earlier this week comes due to pro-Palestinian pressure on the ice cream maker over its business in Israel and other Jewish settlement areas in the West Bank. It was learned that the dessert made it to the Palestinian market through a licensee partner that had a contract since 1987.
However, Ben & Jerry's stated on Monday, July 19, that it will not be renewing the license any longer once it expires in late 2022. Due to this declaration, Israel vowed to bring Ben & Jerry’s to court since the ice creams are supposedly being removed to protest Isreal’s ongoing military rule over the Palestinians.
PM to impose harsh penalty for Unilever’s move
The Israelis are boycotting Ben & Jerry’s now, and while the ice cream’s exit will not have an impact on the country’s economy, its decision to leave was severely criticized by the officials.
“There are many ice cream brands but only one Jewish state. Ben & Jerry’s has decided to brand itself as the anti-Israel ice cream,” CNN Business quoted Israeli PM Bennett as saying after the announcement of exit. "This decision is morally wrong and I believe that it will become clear that it is also commercially wrong."
He added, "From Israel's standpoint, this action has severe consequences, legal and otherwise, and it will move aggressively against any boycott measure targeting civilians." The PM then vowed to respond with full force.
