Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner States Unilever Blocked Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product

One of the original creators behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company with his partner, disclosed how he plans to personally create the controversial product as part of an individual series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Support

The entrepreneur revealed via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder indicated how he will create other ice cream flavors focusing on issues which the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company and social mission