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The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within a personal series highlighting causes the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

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

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus ethical values