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One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will personally create the controversial flavor within an individual collection highlighting issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions among parent company and ethical values