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One of the original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will personally create the controversial product within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission