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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the business with his partner, disclosed that he will independently develop this new product within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development escalates the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, which match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that originally established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among parent company versus ethical values