🔗 Share this article The ice cream brand's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Blocked Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Product Socially Conscious Founders promoting political issues through dessert products One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product. The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed how he will personally create this new product as part of an individual series highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly. Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders versus Parent Company The recent announcement escalates the ongoing conflict among the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades. Both founders maintain that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles". The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol of Support Mr. Cohen stated through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients. “I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.” The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern. Previous Activism plus Current Changes Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories. This upcoming dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back". Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans The founder stated that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions. The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work. At that time, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him." “My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists. Corporate owner restrictions on social activism Personal flavor creation from original creators Watermelon flavor as social statement Ongoing tensions among parent company versus social mission