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The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the continuing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur stated through social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that originally created in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence had been compromised after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company and ethical values