🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal series showcasing causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders maintain that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values