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The original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial product within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

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

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, that match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally established several years back to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries that its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values