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One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has announced that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside his partner, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the ongoing conflict among the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following many years of involvement, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and social mission