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One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create this new product as part of an individual series highlighting causes the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing conflict between the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced via social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that was first established in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence was undermined following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles which it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values