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One of the original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside his partner, announced that he plans to personally create this new flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur stated via social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he will create other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission