Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever prevented the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop this new product as part of an individual series highlighting issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

The recent development escalates the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to create other ice cream flavors focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between parent company and ethical values