Minnesota based company looks forward to continuing to sell its products in Israel

June 2, 2022

Minneapolis, MN – Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), issued the following statement:

“The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) appreciates General Mills’ reaffirmation that the recent sale of its stake in an Israeli joint venture is a business decision, not a boycott, and that the Minnesota based company looks forward to continuing to sell its products in the Israeli market.

“Today’s statement from General Mills should hopefully put to rest any concerns that the decision by General Mills to sell off its dough operations in Israel, which is consistent with a recent pullback by General Mills from its European dough business, in any way represents a boycott of Israel by this iconic Minnesota based business.

“Moreover, General Mills’ declaration that it ‘continues to sell our products in Israel and look forward to continuing to serve Israeli consumers with our other brands’ as well as its statement that ‘[a]ny claims by others taking credit for this decision are false’ is a definitive rebuke of the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement which dishonestly claimed victory for what is exclusively a business decision.

“Finally, the JCRC appreciates the opportunity to work directly with General Mills, as well as the American Jewish Committee and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, in securing today’s reaffirmation. Engagement, patience, and trusted relationships are the cornerstones of our work, and in our estimation, the best way to navigate situations such as this.”

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As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights antisemitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.