The attempt to mediate the dispute between Ben & Jerry�s and its parent company Unilever over the latter�s�deal with Ben & Jerry�s Israel allowing it to continue selling ice cream in Yehudah and Shomron broke down Thursday.

The two parties had agreed on an attempt at mediation after Ben & Jerry�s filed �a US federal�lawsuit�against Unilever to block the sale of its ice cream in �occupied Palestinian territory.�

However, a source told Reuters that the mediation failed because Ben & Jerry’s refused to “cave” on its “social mission” and “Palestinian human rights.”

Unilever CEO Alan Jope said last week that Ben & Jerry’s should stay out of geopolitics.

�There is plenty for Ben & Jerry�s to get their teeth into on their social justice mission without straying into geopolitics,� he said. �I�m sure the brand will continue to enjoy a very bright future doing just that.�

(YWN Israel Desk � Jerusalem)