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The co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual collection highlighting issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest development intensifies the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for naming options and potential ingredients.

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

This particular fruit has become an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder revealed how he plans to create other ice cream flavors focusing on concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Personal product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between corporate ownership and ethical values