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The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

The recent development escalates the continuing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated through social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Future Plans

The founder revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, citing worries that the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company versus ethical values