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The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever blocked the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of an individual collection highlighting issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Parent Company

This latest development intensifies the ongoing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise the social mission, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission