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One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated that corporate owner Unilever blocked the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated through social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism plus Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder stated how he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence was compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission