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The co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop the controversial product as part of an individual series showcasing causes the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company

The recent development deepens the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

The founder revealed that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission