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One of the co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing tension among the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

The entrepreneur stated through social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Plans

The founder revealed how he plans to develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between corporate ownership and social mission