On April 12, as the Global Sumud Flotilla departed Barcelona bound for Gaza, a Brazilian activist named Thiago Avila found himself at the center of a growing controversy — not for the mission’s stated goal of breaking Israel’s blockade, but for allegations that he engaged in sexual relations with three female volunteers while aboard the vessel.
The accusations emerged from the Palestinian group Heart of Falastin, which claimed Avila, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, exploited his position of authority over activists who were sleeping, eating, and working in close quarters during the voyage. “Have sex with whoever you want,” the group stated, “but to do it on the boat — while heading to a nation undergoing genocide — with volunteers under your authority — is a clear violation of power.”
Avila, 39, had previously drawn attention for his participation in the June 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, where he was photographed alongside Greta Thunberg in what appeared to be close, amicable poses. His involvement in the current flotilla reignited scrutiny, especially after the New York Post highlighted the allegations on April 18 under the headline “Lefty love boat: Greta Thunberg’s freedom flotilla rocked by sexual misconduct allegations,” noting that Avila had sailed with Thunberg on prior missions.
The flotilla’s ethics committee investigated and found no evidence of misconduct
In response to the growing controversy, the Global Sumud Flotilla announced that its independent Ethics Committee had launched an expedited investigation after Avila himself requested a formal review on April 12, citing the seriousness of the allegations and their potential impact on the ongoing mission.
The committee interviewed the three women identified in the allegations, as well as other relevant individuals. According to the flotilla’s statement, all three denied that any sexual misconduct occurred. The Ethics Committee concluded that the case was closed, emphasizing that the structural separation between the steering committee and the ethics body exists to prevent self-administered accountability.
Avila has not issued a direct public comment on the allegations but has reposted the flotilla’s statement and a video of support from fellow activist Lisi Proenca, who described him as a “good friend and comrade.” Proenca is believed to be one of the three women referenced in the original claims.
Past tensions within the flotilla leadership resurface amid the controversy
The scandal unfolded against a backdrop of known internal divisions within the Global Sumud Flotilla. In September of the previous year, Greta Thunberg stepped down from the steering committee and left the main vessel after expressing frustration that leadership was prioritizing internal disputes over the mission’s focus on Gaza, according to reporting by the Italian newspaper Il Manifesto.
That earlier voyage had as well been marked by unusual incidents, including the hacking of a ship’s radio system to play ABBA songs at full volume — widely interpreted as a taunt directed at Thunberg. Her departure followed a transfer to another ship, during which she was seen dragging her suitcase along a Tunisian dock.
The current flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona on April 12 with Avila and hundreds of other activists aboard, represents a renewed attempt to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza. But, the allegations have shifted public attention from the humanitarian and political aims of the voyage to questions about conduct, power dynamics, and accountability within activist movements operating at sea.
What the flotilla says about the investigation
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s Ethics Committee stated that it conducted interviews with the three women named in the allegations and other relevant individuals. All three denied any sexual misconduct occurred. The committee concluded the case was closed, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need to preserve the mission’s integrity while at sea.
How this compares to previous flotilla controversies
This is not the first time internal conflict has disrupted a Gaza-bound activist voyage. In September 2025, Greta Thunberg withdrew from the steering committee after criticizing leadership for focusing too much on internal affairs rather than the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a detail reported by Il Manifesto based on a correspondent aboard the vessel at the time.
Did Thiago Avila admit to or deny the allegations?
Avila has not made a direct public statement either admitting or denying the allegations. However, he has reposted the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Ethics Committee statement denying misconduct and shared a video of support from activist Lisi Proenca, who called him a “good friend and comrade.”
What role did Greta Thunberg play in the current flotilla?
Thunberg is not part of the current flotilla’s steering committee or aboard the main vessel. She stepped down from leadership in September 2025 after expressing frustration that internal debates were diverting focus from Gaza, according to Il Manifesto. The current voyage launched in April 2026 without her direct involvement in governance.
