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One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to personally create this new flavor within an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Parent Company

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

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

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created several years back for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company recently, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Personal product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements between parent company versus social mission