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One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with his partner, disclosed how he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal series showcasing causes the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company

This latest development deepens the continuing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced through an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

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

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally created several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, following decades of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Personal product development by original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission