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One of the original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside his partner, announced that he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal series showcasing causes the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission