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One of the original creators behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop the controversial product within an individual collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

This latest announcement escalates the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen announced via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that originally established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was compromised following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission