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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with his partner, announced how he will personally create the controversial flavor within an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, which mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and social mission