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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection showcasing causes the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder revealed that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company recently, after many years with the organization, citing worries that its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen remarked how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and ethical values