'Sweet Resistance' of Ben & Jerry's
Ice Cream War: Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Reveals Parent Company Blocked His Gaza Flavor
Cohen defies Unilever block, launching independent flavor advocating for peace in palestine. 'Sweet resistance' and 'from the river to the seeds' among crowdsourced names for the watermelon-themed treat.
Ben Cohen, the outspoken co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, announced he is moving forward with an independent watermelon-flavored ice cream project after alleging that the brand's parent company, the UK-based Unilever, blocked the idea. The new venture is explicitly intended to show solidarity with Gaza and advocate for peace.
Cohen took to Instagram to share the news, directly challenging the corporate decision.
“I’m doing what they [Ben & Jerry’s] couldn’t," Cohen stated. "I’m making a watermelon ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and to call for repairing the damage that was done there... so the world does not look the other way.”
The use of a watermelon theme is significant, as the fruit has become a widespread symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance. Cohen is crowdsourcing the creative process, inviting the public to help name the new flavor and decide on its ingredients, suggesting a tone of grassroots activism.
“Revolutions are creative. Let’s see some of that creativity,” Cohen urged. Initial suggestions posted by followers included the names "Sweet resistance" and "from the river to the seeds."
A History of Activism and Corporate Strain
The move marks the latest point of tension between the iconic ice cream brand, known for its political activism, and its corporate owner, Unilever. In previous years, Ben & Jerry’s has leveraged its platform to champion social causes, including marriage equality, the refugee crisis, and climate change.
However, the co-founders' actions related to the Gaza conflict have severely strained the relationship. Cohen himself has been arrested while protesting in support of Gaza. Furthermore, Jerry Greenfield, the other co-founder, reportedly quit the company last month over Unilever's official stance on the conflict.
The souring relationship has also led to legal battles. In a lawsuit filed last November, Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of attempting to silence its efforts to express support for Palestinian refugees and allegedly threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue.
A major corporate rift first erupted in 2021 when Ben & Jerry's announced it would stop selling its products in the West Bank, citing a conflict with its core values. This decision prompted a legal challenge from the ice cream maker against Unilever for later selling its business in Israel to its local licensee, which allowed sales to continue in both Israel and Judea and Samaria a lawsuit that was ultimately settled in 2022.