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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Support

The entrepreneur announced via social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians because of its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission