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The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he will independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest development intensifies the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have asserted that Unilever and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated through an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

The founder stated that he plans to create other ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, following many years of involvement, citing worries that the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company and ethical values