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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced how he plans to personally create the controversial product within an individual collection showcasing causes the company was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

The founder revealed that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values