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One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company alongside his partner, disclosed how he plans to personally create the controversial product as part of a personal series highlighting issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

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

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission