🔗 Share this article Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Alleges Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs promoting social causes through dessert products One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product. The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal collection showcasing causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly. Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders versus Parent Company This latest development escalates the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000. Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments". Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients. “I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.” This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white. Historical Social Engagement and Current Developments Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank. This upcoming product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back". Management Changes plus Future Intentions Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever. The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy was compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work. At that time, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him." “My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets. Parent company limitations regarding social activism Personal flavor creation by original creators The fruit-based product serving as political symbol Continuing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission