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One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new product within an individual series showcasing issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest development deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for 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 frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, that match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally created several years back for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Future Intentions

The founder stated how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after many years with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the principles which it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission