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Ben & Jerry’s Co‑Founder Says Unilever Blocked Palestine Flavor, Plans Watermelon Sorbet Himself

Unilever’s ice‑cream unit says management declined the project because now is not the right time.

Overview

  • Ben Cohen announced he will make a watermelon sorbet under his Ben’s Best label and asked the public to help name it and design the pint.
  • It was reported the Palestine‑themed flavor idea had been approved by Ben & Jerry’s independent board and discussed about a year ago.
  • Magnum, Unilever’s ice‑cream arm, said recommendations are reviewed by Ben & Jerry’s leadership and that it decided not to invest in the product now.
  • Unilever and Magnum have stated Ben & Jerry’s is not for sale as Cohen and Jerry Greenfield continue a campaign to return the brand to socially aligned owners.
  • The dispute follows years of clashes over the brand’s activism, including the 2021 decision on sales in occupied territories, litigation against Unilever, and recent leadership turmoil.