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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside his partner, announced that he will personally create the controversial product as part of an individual collection showcasing causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement escalates the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first established several years back to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder indicated how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values