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One of the co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal collection highlighting issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

The recent development escalates the continuing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission