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One of the co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, revealed how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name 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 and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder stated that he will create additional ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns that its independence was compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company and ethical values