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The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within an individual collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Creators and Parent Company

This latest development escalates the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders maintain that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was compromised after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership versus ethical values