🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the business with his partner, revealed how he plans to personally create this new flavor as part of an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after many years of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission