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The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company with his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new product as part of an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally created several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder revealed how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades of involvement, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated that "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and social mission