Does Dove Support Israel? The Truth About the Brand’s Ties
You’ve probably seen Dove on store shelves everywhere—it’s owned by Unilever, the British-Dutch giant behind brands like Hellmann’s and Ben & Jerry’s. But lately, searches like “does Dove support Israel?” or “is Dove an Israeli product?” have been buzzing online. Let’s cut through the noise: While Dove products are sold in Israel (like in most countries), it’s through local distributors—not because the brand funds the Israeli government or its policies. Unilever’s financial reports and public stance show zero direct ties to Israel’s political activities. We’ve even cross-checked BDS movement guidelines and market data to untangle myths from reality.
Dove’s Ownership: A Global Brand with Zero Israeli Roots
Dove was created in the U.S. in 1957 and acquired by Unilever in the 1980s. Unilever, headquartered in London and Rotterdam, operates in over 190 countries, including Israel. However, having a local subsidiary (Unilever Israel) doesn’t make Dove Israeli any more than selling Toyota cars in Mexico makes Toyota Mexican. Unilever’s 2022 annual report confirms no Israeli ownership stakes or intellectual property ties. Dove products in Israel are either imported or made by third-party manufacturers under license—similar to how iPhones sold globally are assembled in China but owned by Apple in California.
Financial Ties: Does Dove Fund Israeli Policies or Settlements?
Unilever, like most multinationals, avoids overt political alliances. Its public filings show donations to sustainability programs but none to governments, militaries, or controversial projects. Unilever Israel employs around 200 people (Forbes, 2023), primarily in sales and marketing roles. Contrast this with Unilever’s handling of Ben & Jerry’s, which stopped sales in occupied Palestinian territories in 2021 over ethical concerns. Dove has taken no such stance, reflecting its focus on universal skincare rather than geopolitical debates. Profits from Israeli sales flow to Unilever’s global operations, not local politics.
BDS Movement and Dove: Why It’s Not a Target
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement boycotts companies tied to Israeli settlements or military actions. Dove isn’t on BDS’s official list because Unilever has no proven links to these issues. While some activists avoid Unilever over its Israeli branch, this is a personal choice, not a coordinated campaign. For context, BDS prioritizes companies like HP (providing tech for checkpoints) and Puma (sponsoring Israeli sports teams). Even Ben & Jerry’s—Unilever’s activist brand—only faced backlash after taking a stand, prompting Unilever to sell its Israeli business to a local licensee. Dove stays under the radar.
FAQs: Straight Answers to Common Concerns
Is Dove sold in Israel?
Yes, through retailers like Shufersal and Rami Levi.
Does buying Dove support Israel’s economy?
Revenue goes to Unilever’s global operations. Local distributors earn a small margin, but this doesn’t fund government policies.
Are there Israeli-owned beauty brands?
Absolutely. Sabon (luxury skincare) and Ahava (Dead Sea products) are popular Israeli-made alternatives.
Should I boycott Dove?
Only if you boycott all global brands in Israel, like Apple or Coca-Cola, does BDS single out Dove.
Summary: Dove’s Neutrality in a Politicized World
Dove isn’t Israeli, nor does it back Israel’s government. Its presence in Israel mirrors standard corporate globalization—like Nike selling sneakers worldwide. For ethical shoppers, the takeaway is simple: Focus on brands directly tied to contentious issues (e.g., SodaStream’s past ties to settlements), not those merely available locally. Buying a Dove soap bar impacts Unilever’s bottom line, not Middle Eastern geopolitics.
