🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company with his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within an individual collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest development escalates the continuing tension among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

The founder stated that he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can actualise the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership and ethical values