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One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company alongside his partner, revealed how he will personally create this new flavor within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 to support former political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Future Plans

The founder indicated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership and ethical values