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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal series showcasing causes the company was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the continuing disagreement among the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain that the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem for support for Palestinians because of its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries that its independence was undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

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

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership versus ethical values