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One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will personally create the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

The recent announcement intensifies the continuing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally created several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and ethical values