Years after a boycott fight, Ben & Jerry’s Israel debuts a flavor celebrating Israeli resilience

Ben & Jerry's Israel has introduced "Milk and Honey," a new ice cream flavor designed to celebrate Israeli resilience and support communities impacted by the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack. The flavor prominently features ingredients sourced from southern Israeli farms, including milk from Kibbutz Alumim and honey from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, both areas heavily affected by the violence.

The pint is adorned with chocolate fudge pieces shaped like Stars of David and artwork by a local artist. The company describes the flavor as its "most Israeli flavor ever" and a "symbol of hope, rehabilitation, and positive action." Proceeds from sales will benefit the Ayalim Association, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing Israel's periphery through rehabilitation and educational initiatives.

This launch marks a significant step for the Israeli operation, which separated from its American counterpart in 2021. The split occurred after Ben & Jerry's announced it would cease sales in Israeli settlements, a decision that sparked considerable controversy and criticism from Israeli officials, including then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

The contentious boycott fight led to a complete separation of the Israeli and American Ben & Jerry's businesses. The original founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, faced scrutiny for their company's stance, particularly when questioned about why the boycott logic did not extend to other states with controversial laws.