Underdog Democratic candidate for governor Tom Suozzi is getting in his final licks within the race — slamming incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul over Ben & Jerry’s.
Particularly, says Suozzi, Hochul has did not take motion towards the Vermont-founded, ubiquitous ice cream producer and its mum or dad firm from doing enterprise with New York for allegedly violating an govt order towards anti-Israel actions.
“Kathy Hochul has a sample and apply of creating daring pronouncements after which not following via,” stated Suozzi, the Lengthy Island congressman and former Nassau County govt difficult favourite Hochul within the June 28 Democratic major together with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
The Hochul administration — by way of the state Workplace of Common Companies — despatched a discover to mum or dad agency Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s in November in response to its refusal to promote its ice cream merchandise in Israel-controlled disputed territories such because the West Financial institution, and requested why it shouldn’t be placed on the state’s listing of companies collaborating in BDS.
Suozzi stated the foot-dragging is inexcusable.
“She stated she would give Unilever 90 days to reply and would then act to fight BDS. It’s now been 200 days. Her empty phrases ring hole after failing to observe via,” Suozzi stated. “She stated she would get up for Israel towards Unilever — BDS. Actions matter greater than phrases.”
Suozzi continued, “As governor, I'll take swift motion towards any firm or individual that promotes BDS or anti-Semitism. How have you learnt I'll do it? As a result of I’ve carried out it.”
A latest letter signed by 16 Jewish organizations additionally rapped Hochul for failing to implement the BDS regulation.
Beneath Govt Order No. 157, the state should divest from any firm that engages within the BDS motion.
Hochul, via her press workplace and marketing campaign, had no fast remark.
However Hochul’s workplace just lately informed The Submit it was nonetheless reviewing data from Unilever/B & J’s declare that they weren't in violation of New York’s anti-BDS edict.
“Governor Hochul has all the time been a steadfast supporter of Israel,” stated Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays.
“Because the preliminary response [from Unilever/B & J’s] didn't embrace vital clarifying data central to formulating a dedication underneath the Govt Order, final month we requested extra clarification and knowledge to make an analysis underneath the phrases of the Govt Order.”
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli final October introduced that he had begun withdrawing $111 million in pension funds from Unilever over the B & J boycott within the West Financial institution — giving the governor ammo to observe swimsuit by way of contracts with state companies.
Final December, Unilever despatched a letter claiming to not be in violation of New York’s govt order, saying the mum or dad agency “has by no means expressed any help for the Boycott, Divestment Sanctions Motion” towards the Jewish state.
Unilever additionally informed state officers that its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s “has additionally acknowledged publicly that its motion will not be a part of the BDS motion” and B & J’s merchandise “will stay in Israel and proceed to be obtainable in Israel in the present day.”
In a Could 6 response letter, Bradley Allen, OGS’s deputy commissioner and counsel, requested extra data from Unilever vp David Schwartz to find out whether or not the mum or dad agency and B & J’s violated the chief order.
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