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One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new product within an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement escalates the continuing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission