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The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will personally create this new product as part of an individual collection showcasing causes the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted that Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after many years with the organization, citing worries that its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

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

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values