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One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

The entrepreneur revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated that he will create other ice cream flavors that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence was compromised after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company and social mission