Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, recently claimed that Unilever, the parent company of the ice cream brand, blocked the creation of a new “flavor for Palestine.” Known for their social activism, Cohen and his company have long supported Palestinian causes and criticized Israel, prompting controversy among their customer base.
In a post on X, Cohen expressed his intent to create this ice cream flavor independently, stating, “Unilever/Magnum stopped Ben & Jerry’s from creating a flavor for Palestine — so I’m doing it myself.” He invited the public to help name the flavor and suggest packaging designs.
The watermelon is being highlighted as a key ingredient due to its colors resembling the Palestinian flag. Cohen noted that he sees this project as a way to bring attention to the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially children, amid ongoing conflict. He believes they deserve the same rights and dignity as everyone else.
“I’m doing this to shine a light on the experiences of Palestinian people,” he said. “The world must not overlook their struggles.”
In the past, Cohen faced pushback for his outspoken views when he was removed from a Senate hearing for protesting against U.S. policies concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. His remarks there included accusations about the U.S. funding violence against children in Gaza.
The departure of Jerry Greenfield, another co-founder, from Ben & Jerry’s after decades, also reflects growing tensions regarding their mission and Unilever’s influence. Greenfield expressed that he felt the company’s efforts towards social issues were being suppressed rather than supported.
As the ice cream brand navigates these political waters, the divide between corporate governance and personal activism continues to be a hot topic, raising important questions about the role businesses should play in social and political discourse.
