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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the company alongside his partner, announced that he will personally create this new product as part of a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen announced via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for Palestinians because of its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that originally created several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

The founder revealed how he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values