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One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain how the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for support for Palestinians because of its colors, that match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries that the company's autonomy was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values