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One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing conflict among the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

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

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

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

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries regarding how its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values