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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will personally create the controversial product as part of a personal series highlighting issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

The entrepreneur revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation 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 socially conscious dessert company which originally created in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder revealed that he will create additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns that its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values