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The original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop this new product as part of a personal collection showcasing issues the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders maintain how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol for Support

The entrepreneur announced through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism plus Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first established several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

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

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values