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The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

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

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

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following many years of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values