Ben & Jerry's row: bosses must 'fight for what is right' says ex-Unilever bossUnilever's ex-boss has said business leaders have an"obligation to speak up" after his former company became embroiled in a row with Israel over its Ben & Jerry's business.
Paul Polman mounted a defence of the need to"fight for what is right" in remarks to Sky News after the ice cream brandBen & Jerry's is owned by consumer goods giant Unilever - whose array of brands ranges from Marmite spread to Dove soap - but has an independent board to take such decisions.Its announcement is one of the strongest steps taken by a well-known company over Israel's settlements, which are widely seen as illegal by the international community.
The move drew condemnation from the Israeli government, whose new prime minister Naftali Bennett said this week that Israel would"use the tools at its disposal - including legal - on this issue" and that those taking such action"need to know that there will be a price to pay".Mr Polman, speaking to Sky's Ian King Live, said it would be inappropriate to say how he would have handled the issue had he still been in charge of Unilever.
But he added:"What is very important is if we want humanity to function for the long term we need to be sure that we fight for the basic values, the basic values of dignity, respect, equity, compassion.