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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual collection showcasing causes the company was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur announced via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will create other ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that its independence had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission