đ Share this article The ice cream brand's Founding Partner States Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product Socially Conscious Founders advocating for social causes via frozen treats One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product. Ben Cohen, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within an individual series highlighting causes the company has been barred from addressing publicly. Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company This latest development escalates the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades. Both founders maintain how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments". Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem for Solidarity Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components. âI'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,â Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. âI'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.â This particular fruit has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner â red, green, black and white. Historical Activism and Current Changes Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories. The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back". Management Shifts plus Future Plans Mr. Cohen revealed how he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever. This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work. At that time, Ben Cohen stated that âMy partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him." "My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can achieve the social mission, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets. Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism Personal product development by company founders The fruit-based product serving as social statement Continuing tensions between parent company versus ethical values