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One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development escalates the continuing conflict between the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem of Support

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

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its coloration, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Plans

The founder indicated how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after many years of involvement, citing worries that its independence had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements between corporate ownership versus social mission