The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Parent Company Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product

The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever prevented the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the business alongside his partner, revealed how he will independently develop this new product within an individual collection showcasing causes the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, following many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company and ethical values