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The original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, which match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values