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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with his partner, announced that he plans to personally create this new flavor within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur stated through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

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

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after decades with the organization, citing worries that its independence had been compromised after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between parent company and social mission