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One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside his partner, disclosed how he will independently develop the controversial product as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders versus Parent Company

The recent development escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized 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 have asserted that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder revealed that he will create additional ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after many years of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission