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One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business alongside his partner, announced that he will personally create this new flavor within a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing conflict between the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

Both founders have asserted how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

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

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally created in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how its independence was undermined following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen remarked that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

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

• Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
• Independent product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements between corporate ownership versus ethical values