Gov. Cuomo is facing growing pressure to take action against Ben and Jerry’s and parent company Unilever after the ice cream provider announced they would no longer do business in parts of Israel.
Under the terms of Cuomo’s own 2016 executive order, New York State is enjoined from doing business with any company engaged in the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel — and critics say it’s time to put up to shut up.
“I call on him to enforce his order that bans the State of New York from doing business with companies that engage in the anti-Semitic BDS movement,” Schuylerville Rep. Elise Stefanik told The Post.
“With so many new members in the legislature and the disturbing rise in anti-Semitic attacks in our city, it’s critically important for the state to reinforce its position and show support for members of our Jewish community,” added Staten Island Republican Nicole Malliotakis.
Dozens of US states have anti-BDS laws on the books.
When pressed for a response, a rep for Cuomo, Rich Azzopardi, told The Post only that “this is under legal review.”
Cuomo’s silence so far contrasts sharply with longtime rival Mayor de Blasio, who condemned the ice cream company earlier this week.
“You cannot have peace if you undermine the economic reality and create division. I just believe it’s absolutely the wrong approach and I don’t think Ben and Jerry’s should be doing that,” Hizzonner said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Empire State institutions and municipalities are already taking action against the ice cream maker and its parent company.
The New York State Common Retirement Fund, the primary pension fund for state workers, sent a letter to Unilever Friday warning that it was considering restricting investments in the company over the issue.
Hempstead town supervisors Don Clavin promised Thursday to purge any Unilever from public buildings in the Long Island town, ABC7 reported.
The decision will go far beyond ice cream and include items such as Lipton tea bags, Dove soap, and Hellman’s mayonnaise.
“We’re going to go through every department and every contract’s going to be reviewed and we are going to hold them accountable for their support of this anti-Israel action,” Clavin said.