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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business alongside his partner, announced that he will independently develop this new flavor as part of an individual collection highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain that the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy had been undermined after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus ethical values