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The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial product within an individual series highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders versus Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first established several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades with the organization, citing concerns that its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values