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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual series highlighting causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the continuing tension among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its colors, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder revealed how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries that its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

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

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and ethical values