Gaza flotilla activists — including Greta Thunberg pal accused sexual misconduct — arrested in Israel over 'illegal activity'

Greta Thunberg‘s buddy — accused of sexual misconduct — was taken into custody Saturday after the Israeli Navy intercepted the Gaza-bound flotilla off the coast of Greece earlier this week. Brazilian Thiago Ávila was detained on suspicion of “illegal activity,” the Israel Foreign Ministry said Saturday, without providing details. He was held along with another flotilla leader, Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian-Spanish citizen, who was detained on suspicion of affiliation with a terrorist organization. He’s accused of being a leader for the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which the United States calls a front for Hamas. They were being transferred for questioning by law enforcement authorities, the foreign ministry said. The vessels, which were part of a third Global Sumud flotilla, were seized by Israeli forces Wednesday, along with condoms and drugs. “An initial inspection of the vessels revealed materials that appear to be drugs and contraceptives,” the foreign ministry added. “This flotilla is another PR stunt — without humanitarian aid. These are professional provocateurs on pleasure cruises. ‘A condom flotilla’ — nothing more, nothing less.” The other roughly 175 members of their flotilla, part of the 22 intercepted ships, were rerouted to the Greek island of Crete. The flotilla had set sail from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12 in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance. The Brazilian and Spanish governments issued a joint statement accusing Israel of “kidnapping” its citizens. “This blatantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities, outside their jurisdiction, constitutes an affront to international law, is subject to adjudication before international courts,” the countries said. Thunberg also alleged the pair were being “tortured,” and claimed others had been “beaten” before they were dropped off in Greece. “They are being detained based on made-up accusations following their commitment to Palestinian liberation,” the activist, who skipped out on the current voyage to stay in Europe with her rumored beau, said on Instagram. “We demand their immediate release,” added Thunberg. “They are being held, imprisoned and tortured alongside thousands of Palestinians who are held without charges and being tortured as well in Israeli prisons.” The married Ávila was recently accused of “sexual misconduct” with three volunteers on the flotilla. He denied the accusations last month. “These allegations are obviously not true,” he told The Post via WhatsApp. With Post Wires Greta Thunberg's buddy, Thiago Ávila who was accused of sexual misconduct, was arrested in Israel, officials said. Anadolu via Getty Images Thiago Ávila and Saif Abu Keshek were taken into custody under suspicion of "illegal activity," the Israel Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Anadolu via Getty Images Thiago Ávila and Greta Thunberg aboard the "Madleen" boat as part of the June 2025 Freedom Flotilla Coalition bringing aids to children and people in Gaza. gazafreedomflotilla /Instagram