🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial product within a personal series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally created in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following decades of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between parent company and ethical values