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The co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business alongside his partner, disclosed how he plans to personally create this new product as part of a personal series showcasing issues the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that originally established several years back to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

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

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus social mission