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One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual series showcasing issues the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

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

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur stated via social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first created several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years of involvement, citing concerns that its independence was compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between corporate ownership and social mission