Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Claims Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor

The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal collection showcasing causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first established several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was undermined after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

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

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the values which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and ethical values