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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will personally create this new product within an individual series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest development escalates the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that originally created several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values