🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual collection highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that 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 Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can actualise the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Personal flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company versus ethical values