Ben Cohen's New Ice Cream Supports Palestine Advocacy
Ben Cohen vows to create activism-driven ice cream flavors after Unilever blocks Palestinian solidarity dessert initiative.
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Challenges Parent Company Over Palestine-Solidarity Ice Cream
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, has accused the company's parent organization, Unilever, of blocking an ice cream flavor aimed at expressing solidarity with Palestine. In response, Cohen announced plans to independently create a new dessert flavor under his personal brand to highlight causes the company has been restrained from addressing publicly.
The Ice Cream Flavor Unilever Blocked
According to Cohen, the watermelon-based sorbet was designed as a symbol of peace and solidarity with Palestinians. The choice of watermelon draws inspiration from its resemblance to the colors of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black, and white – making it a potent emblem for the cause. Cohen expressed his frustration in an Instagram video, stating, “I’m doing what [Unilever] couldn’t. I’m making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”
Unilever’s response to the halted flavor was that "now is not the right time" to invest in developing this product, as shared by a spokesperson from Unilever’s ice cream arm, Magnum Ice Cream Company.
Ben's Best: A Platform for Activism
Ben Cohen's new dessert initiative will be developed under his independent brand, Ben’s Best, which he created in 2016 to support activist causes, including endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the “Bernie’s Back” ice cream flavor. Cohen confirmed that his upcoming series of flavors will address issues that Ben & Jerry's has been restricted from addressing publicly.
Ben’s Best will operate separately from Ben & Jerry’s, emphasizing the independence needed to advocate for causes that align with Cohen’s values. The entrepreneur called for public input on naming the new sorbet and adding complementary ingredients.
Ben & Jerry’s History of Social Activism
Since its founding over 40 years ago, Ben & Jerry's has gained recognition not only for its ice cream but for its dedication to social activism. The brand has consistently voiced opinions on political, environmental, and humanitarian matters, including the Israel-Gaza conflict. In 2021, the company made headlines for refusing to sell products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the sale of its Israeli operations to a local licensee.
This decision reinforced the brand's commitment to ethical practices but also sparked disputes between the co-founders and Unilever. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who have long championed Ben & Jerry's status as a socially conscious enterprise, have repeatedly butted heads with Unilever over limitations on its activism.
Dispute Over Independence
The conflict between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever over the company’s social mission came to a head recently. Greenfield stepped down in September after decades at the company, citing concerns about Unilever compromising its independence. Cohen explained the strain this dispute had caused, stating, “Jerry has a really big heart, and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it.” Cohen, however, vowed to persist in advocating for the independence of the brand and its core values.
Unilever's Stance on Activism
While Ben Cohen claims Unilever has limited the company’s ability to engage in social activism, Unilever maintains that strategic decision-making regarding product creation is not within the purview of Ben & Jerry’s independent board members. A spokesperson for Magnum Ice Cream emphasized that while the company remains committed to impactful community campaigns, focus has shifted to causes such as improved refugee accommodation conditions in the UK and freedom of speech rights in the United States.
This has raised questions about the balance between corporate oversight and the pioneering activism that made Ben & Jerry’s a global brand for change.
Looking Ahead
As Ben Cohen embarks on his journey with Ben’s Best, it remains to be seen how his flavors and messages will resonate with audiences. With flavors rooted in activism, Cohen's work continues to reflect the values that built Ben & Jerry’s legacy, ensuring that social advocacy remains an integral part of the ice cream world.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.