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One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, revealed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder stated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions among parent company and ethical values