🔗 Share this article The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Parent Company Halted Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product Activist Entrepreneurs promoting social causes through frozen treats One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product. Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, revealed how he will personally create the controversial product within a personal collection highlighting issues the company was prevented from speaking out about. Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades. The co-founders maintain how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission". Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem of Support The entrepreneur announced via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients. “I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.” This particular fruit has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern. Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank. This upcoming product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established in 2016 to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return". Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans The founder indicated that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever. This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism. At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it." “My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told media outlets. Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism Personal product development by company founders The fruit-based product as political symbol Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values