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The original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, revealed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection showcasing causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder stated that he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can achieve the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions among parent company and social mission