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The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new product as part of a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally created in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he will develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements between parent company and ethical values