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One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside his partner, announced how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have asserted how the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which originally created in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder stated how he will develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy was compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values