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One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, announced how he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection highlighting issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after decades of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values