🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

This latest development deepens the continuing tension between the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after decades of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been undermined following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company versus ethical values