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One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, revealed how he will personally create this new flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that it can actualise the social mission, the values which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among parent company and social mission