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One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever prevented the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he will independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual series showcasing causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company versus social mission