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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced how he will independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing conflict between the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

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

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder stated that he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can achieve the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions between parent company and social mission