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One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor within an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first created several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing tensions among parent company and ethical values