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The original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated that corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create this new flavor within an individual collection highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence was undermined following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

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

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company versus social mission