The original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
Ben Cohen, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to personally create this new flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.
This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.
The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".
The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder stated from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”
This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its colors, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.
In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.
This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".
Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.
This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.
At that time, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."
“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that it can actualise the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told media outlets.
A passionate textile artist and community organizer who loves inspiring others through creative sewing projects.
