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The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, announced how he will personally create this new flavor as part of a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

This latest development escalates the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

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

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced via social media how he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he will create additional ice cream flavors that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy was compromised after Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership and ethical values