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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed that he will personally create the controversial flavor as part of an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that was first created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Future Plans

The founder stated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns that its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

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

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Personal product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission