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One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced how he will independently develop this new flavor as part of a personal collection showcasing issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

The founder stated how he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company recently, following many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership versus ethical values