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One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the continuing tension between the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that originally created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder indicated how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on political advocacy
• Independent product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership versus social mission