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

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Founders advocating for political issues via frozen treats

The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will personally create this new product within a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted that the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, that mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created several years back to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Future Intentions

The founder stated that he plans to develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen remarked that "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told journalists.

  • Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
  • Personal product development from original creators
  • Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
  • Continuing disagreements among parent company and ethical values
Larry Miranda
Larry Miranda

A former casino manager turned gaming analyst, Felix specializes in slot machine mechanics and probability theory.