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One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company Unilever prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with his partner, announced that he plans to personally create the controversial product as part of a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the continuing tension among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally created several years back to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company recently, following decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner 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 so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and social mission