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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever blocked the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within a personal collection showcasing issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

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

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that originally created in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated how he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership versus ethical values