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The original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

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

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership versus ethical values