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The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, revealed how he will independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he will create additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence had been undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve the social mission, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on political advocacy
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership and ethical values