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One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which originally established several years back to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Plans

The founder indicated that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades of involvement, citing concerns that its independence had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission