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One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, revealed how he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values