🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of an individual series showcasing causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest development escalates the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen stated via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years with the organization, citing concerns that its independence was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission