🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first created several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts plus Future Intentions

The founder revealed that he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence was compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between parent company versus social mission