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One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal series highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which originally established several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after decades of involvement, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission