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One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing conflict among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted how the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Plans

The founder revealed how he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, following decades of involvement, citing concerns that its independence was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

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

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus social mission