It’s Not Just About the Ice Cream

Last week, I was stunned with an announcement from Ben & Jerry’s about a new flavor “celebrating activists who are continuing to resist oppression, harmful environmental practices and injustice.” Financial grants were provided to four organizations that Ben and Jerry’s felt represented social activism. I was horrified to learn that one of the organization’s receiving the grant was the Women’s March, primarily founded by Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, both vocal and virulent anti-Semites.

Sarsour presents herself as a “proud anti-Israel activist” who champions boycotting Israel. At the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention this past September in Houston, Texas, Sarsour called “for the dehumanization of Israelis.” Her co-chair, Mallory, is also a vocal supporter of Louis Farrakhan, a long time virulently anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader. On Instagram last year, Mallory posted herself alongside Farrakhan calling him the “GOAT,” which means “Greatest of All Time.” More recently, Farrakhan has referred to Jews as “termites” (the same words the Nazi’s used) and Satanic. This week, Farrakhan has traveled to Iran and called for the destruction of America and of the State of Israel.

In the wake of the largest anti-Semitic attack in the history of our country just over a week ago in Pittsburgh, I was shocked that three days later, Ben & Jerry’s, founded by two individuals who identify as Jewish (and sold to Unilever in 2000), would personally make an announcement of providing grants to various groups who best represent “Resistance.” The news was all over the Internet and news outlets.

So, with little options on my end, I threw out the Ben & Jerry’s in my freezer and emailed the ice cream supplier that services the eight stores that we own in the greater Los Angeles area. I asked them to remove all Ben & Jerry’s products. I also copied a contact at Ben & Jerry’s that I found on the Internet and told them what I was doing with a decision to no longer carry Ben & Jerry ice creams. I posted my opinions and concerns on my personal Facebook page.

I was surprised how quickly I received an email from the Ben & Jerry’s organization with a press release about the grants from the company. The email also requested that they speak with me the next business day.

According to Ben & Jerry’s press release, it stated about the grants that “The mission of Women’s March is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change. Women’s March is a women-led movement providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues and creating entry points for new grassroots activists & organizers to engage in their local communities through training, outreach programs and events. The Women’s March is committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect.”

I eagerly looked forward to my call to enlighten Ben & Jerry’s about leaders Sarsour and  Mallory and that the Women’s March was anything but what they described. I wanted to share with them that Sarsour has repeatedly told the world that you can’t be a feminist and a Zionist. Sarsour has stated, “that nothing was creepier than a Zionist” and that she suggested cutting the genitalia of women she didn’t like. I wanted to share with the Ben & Jerry’s organization that this past July Sarsour publicly wished a “Happy Birthday to Assata Shakur” (AKA Joanne Chesimard) who remains on FBI’s most wanted list.

I wanted to share with the Ben &  Jerry’s organization that Mallory has also publicly praised Fidel Castro, the former president of Cuba. It was during his regimen that he rounded up (arrested) gay people and put them in Cuban concentration camps.

After a brief exchange of emails, a call was scheduled for me with Ben & Jerry’s senior marketing executive Christopher Miller and two other staff members at the company. The power of my comments on my Facebook post seemed unbelievable to me.

But what happened during “our” call today was shocking and deeply disturbing.  Miller was absolute and committed to Ben & Jerry’s support of both Sarsour & Mallory and the Women’s March itself. They informed me that they were supporting organizations  that were consistent in their concept of progressive change, core American values and democracy. I told them that these women did not represent core American values and democracy and their words were hateful and damaging. I added that if these are spokespeople for America, we all need to be concerned!

I was then told by Miller that Unilever was the real victim because they sold products to Israel in the face of BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanction) threats and retaliations against American companies. They actually stated that they still sold products in the “occupied territories” and that Ben & Jerry’s operates in a unique manner in Israel with a licensee that allows them to appear to Israel focused. All proceeds from the license are not shared with Unilever, but are donated to causes as not to appear to truly support Israel.

I shared with the Ben & Jerry’s representatives my work on fighting anti-Semitism, racism and hatred in the United States. I shared with them that my husband & I were honored by the ADL three years ago as Humanitarians of the Year. I also shared our ongoing work to support police and first responders.

I discussed inclusiveness, especially in Israel. I told them that I currently was working with the Jewish National Fund to build the finest culinary academy in the world in the northern region of Israel. I shared our vision to utilize education and food to drive prosperity and bring people together. I continued to inform them that we were also building medical centers in the north of Israel that would improve the lives of so many people across religions. I told them about the many organizations that I am involved with and how we work to support children of all backgrounds in Israel giving them programs, clothing, meals and hope for the future. And love…

I ended my call with the Ben & Jerry’s representatives more disappointed than before it began. I realized a sad fact that this is the new anti-Semitism.  I realized that I am too protected in my bubble living in my pocket of Los Angeles & Beverly Hills. I had not faced aAnti-Semitism in almost two decades. And now, corporate representatives from a product that I sold and served in my own home were informing me about their struggles and sacrifices specific to a relationship to Israel.

I am proud that the State of California and  the City of Beverly Hills have Memorandums of Understandings with the State of Israel (MOU’s). I am proud that my city celebrates Jewish Heritage Month at the Los Angeles City Hall and  Israel’s 70th in the City of Beverly Hills. I am proud that the state of California has outlawed BDS.

There is a new anti-Semitism rearing its ugly head in the United States  and elsewhere. There are standards and kindness for other people and there is another one for Jews. There is also an increase in white nationalist supremacists brazenly speaking against Jews and  other minorities. I am asking people to wake up and and not accept these acts against Jews and Israel. I am asking that we fight the scourge of anti-Semitism and other acts of racism and indifference to others. We need to share our voices and say that providing grants to individuals who openly refer to Jews and Israel in horrific words and terms is not acceptable in 2018. We can not and will not accept anti-Semitism in any manner. That we expect decency and inclusiveness for all no matter where they live.

And sadly, when the call was over, I had to acknowledge that it’s not just about the ice cream…

Gina Raphael co-owns Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill in eight locations across Southern California