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One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside his partner, announced how he plans to personally create this new product as part of a personal series highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the British consumer goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen commented in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for Palestinians because of its colors, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, following decades of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values