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

Ben Cohen, who established the business with his partner, revealed how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated through social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder indicated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry 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 its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions among parent company versus ethical values