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One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company Unilever stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will personally create this new product as part of a personal series highlighting causes the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent development deepens the continuing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

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

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Future Plans

The founder revealed how he plans to create additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, following many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

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

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission