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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business alongside his partner, revealed that he will personally create this new product within a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

The recent development deepens the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission