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One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever prevented the launch for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission