🔗 Share this article Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Halted Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor Socially Conscious Founders advocating for political issues through dessert products The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor. Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create this new flavor as part of a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about. Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Parent Company This latest announcement deepens the continuing conflict between the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000. The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments". Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol of Support The entrepreneur stated via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components. “I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.” The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, that mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern. Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories. The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which originally established several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back". Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions The founder stated how he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions. This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work. Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it." “My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists. Corporate owner restrictions on social activism Independent flavor creation from original creators Watermelon flavor as political symbol Continuing tensions among parent company versus social mission