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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever blocked the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal series highlighting issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest development intensifies the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

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

Historical Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that originally created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented 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 continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and social mission