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The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will personally create the controversial product within a personal collection showcasing issues the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest development deepens the ongoing tension among the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain that the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of 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 ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in 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 Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he plans to create additional ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among parent company versus social mission