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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within a personal series showcasing causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its coloration, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

The founder indicated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after many years with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing tensions between parent company and ethical values