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The original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within an individual collection showcasing issues the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, that match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

The founder stated how he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after many years of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values