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The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that parent company Unilever prevented the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest development intensifies the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, which match the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence was compromised following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values