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One of the original creators behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced that he will independently develop this new flavor within a personal series highlighting causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing conflict between the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, which match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership and ethical values