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One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated that corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing conflict among the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence so that it can achieve the social mission, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission