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The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever blocked the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the company with his partner, disclosed that he will personally create the controversial product as part of an individual collection showcasing issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest development intensifies the continuing conflict between the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

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

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which was first established several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company and ethical values