The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a high-profile convoy of boats heading to Gaza, has been thrown into turmoil after one of its activists publicly came out as queer.

The self-described “queer militant” Saif Ayadi accused opponents of exploiting his sexuality to undermine the flotilla in a social media post on Thursday (Australian time).

It comes after GSF co-ordinator Khaled Boujemaa announced his resignation on social media while protesting the presence of LGBTQ activists in the flotilla.

“We were lied to about the identity of some participants in the vanguard of the flotilla. I accuse the organisers of having hidden this aspect from us,” Mr Boujemaa said.

Mr Boujemaa claimed that Tunisians had been deceived after donating to the cause without being made aware that there was a queer activist involved.

Other figures also condemned Mr Ayadi’s presence as crossing a red line when he announced that he was queer in a public post.

The controversy spilled into the flotilla’s leadership, where climate activist Greta Thunberg announced she would step down from the executive committee in frustration.

According to Il Manifesto, she accused organisers of focusing too much on internal issues but confirmed she would remain “an organiser and participant volunteer” in the mission.

In response, Mr Ayadi said the “Zionist lobby” was trying to use his queer identity to attack the flotilla and break its unity.

Mr Ayadi said he was not rejected by other members of the flotilla but that there was an “internal discussion” about “policies and participant numbers.”

“We’re here, we’re queer, we support the cause – no matter who agrees or disagrees,” Mr Ayadi said.

In Gaza, same-sex sexual activity is criminalized and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

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