NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — City Comptroller Scott Stringer has been given the "cold shoulder" by New York's anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activists for advancing pension-fund investments from Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry's, despite the state pulling their $111 million contributions for its boycott on Israeli-occupied territories.
The New York Post reports Stringer has allowed Unilever to maintain its investment in city stock and retiree-funds worth $187 million despite the company's decision to stop selling products in favor of the BDS movement.
The criticism comes two weeks after State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli confirmed to the Post that New York was pulling millions in equity investments from the company arguing it violated the state's policy against the Palestinian-led grassroots movement.
Stinger's role manages and advises the city's five public employee pension funds.
Bronx Councilman Eric Dinowitz said Stringer's office has failed to respond to his July 26 letter urging he withdraw pension funds for Ben & Jerry's/Unilever's after the company said it would end ice cream sales that were "inconsistent with [its] values."
"The BDS movement against Israel helps fuel antisemitism," Dinowitz told the Post.
"He’s only in office for nine more weeks,” he added of the now-outgoing comptroller. "We hope Comptroller Stringer makes a decision that aligns with our laws and values."
Although Stringer's office did not commit to pulling support, a spokesperson told the Post he was against the BDS movement.
"Comptroller Stringer is opposed to BDS actions and believes them counterproductive to the goal of peace and safety for all peoples in the Middle East," said the spokesperson Amy Varghese. "He believes these tactics ultimately threaten efforts for a peaceful two-state solution, rather than fostering understanding and cooperation."
His office also reportedly noted he needed to get approval from the city's pension-board representatives before he could make any decisions. DiNapoli is the "sole" trustee of the state pension fund.
Former Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who joked the ice cream company could make "Marshmallow Stinger or Jelly Stringer" flavors called bull.
"State Comptroller DiNapoli did all the homework for Stringer to divest from Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever. DiNapoli did the right thing. What is the city comptroller missing?" he said.
Hikind, the founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, added: "This is a person who doesn’t have the guts to do the right thing. What point doesn’t Stringer get? Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East."
Related
