🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the launch for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with his partner, disclosed how he will independently develop the controversial product within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

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

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was 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 deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission