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One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its colors, which match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he will create other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values