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The co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will personally create this new flavor within a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its colors, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Recent Developments

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 the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Intentions

The founder stated that he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after many years of involvement, citing concerns that its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values