🔗 Share this article

The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its colors, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans

The founder stated how he plans to create other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus social mission