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One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing tension between the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have asserted that the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, that mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder stated that he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values which it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company limitations on political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values