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The co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen announced via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, that match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Independent product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values