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The original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop this new product within a personal collection highlighting issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, following decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company and ethical values