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The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company alongside his partner, announced that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor within an individual collection highlighting causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

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

The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, after many years of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that 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
• Continuing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission