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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever stopped the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product within an individual collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Parent Company

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its colors, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company versus social mission