🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company alongside his partner, announced how he will personally create this new product as part of a personal series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which the company was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how its independence was undermined after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among parent company versus ethical values