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The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business with his partner, announced how he plans to independently develop this new product as part of an individual collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

The entrepreneur announced through an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally created in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between parent company and ethical values