The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the ongoing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first created in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder revealed that he plans to create additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between parent company versus ethical values