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One of the co-founders of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting issues the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent announcement escalates the continuing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have asserted that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol for Support

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he will develop other ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission