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The co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial product as part of an individual collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the continuing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission