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The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will independently develop this new product as part of a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Parent Company

The recent development deepens the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership and social mission