🔗 Share this article The ice cream brand's Co-Founder States Unilever Blocked Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product Socially Conscious Founders promoting social causes through frozen treats One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the launch for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product. Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create the controversial flavor within an individual collection highlighting causes the company has been barred from addressing publicly. Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner The recent announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000. The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "maintaining its activist principles". Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity The entrepreneur revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas for naming options and potential ingredients. “I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated 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.” This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white. Historical Activism plus Recent Changes Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank. The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first created several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back". Management Shifts plus Upcoming Plans The founder stated how he plans to create additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions. This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work. At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him." "My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets. Parent company restrictions on social activism Independent product development from company founders The fruit-based product as social statement Ongoing tensions among parent company and ethical values