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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

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

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

The founder stated how he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission