Two prominent left-wing media figures from the United States, Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur, say they have been prevented from entering the United Kingdom after the Home Office revoked their travel authorisations.
Piker, a political commentator and popular Twitch streamer, and Uygur, co-founder and host of the YouTube show The Young Turks, were scheduled to participate in the SXSW London festival as well as an event in Oxford.
Both men have accused the UK government of targeting them because of their views on Israel.
Posting on X, Uygur said, “I’ve been banned from the UK.
“I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I’ve been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free any more?
“This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country.”
Piker echoed the claim, replying: “The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel. The west is betraying ‘liberal values’ for a genocidal fascist foreign government. Soon we will all become Israel.”
Reports indicate that the pair had their Electronic Travel Authorisations cancelled. UK authorities can revoke an ETA if an individual is considered a potential threat to the public good.
Labour MP David Taylor welcomed the decision, having previously urged the government to prevent Piker from entering the country.
“There’s no reason to open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially to those who’ve supported a proscribed terror group,” Taylor wrote on X.
SXSW London, a six-day festival held in Shoreditch, East London, brings together speakers and participants from the worlds of technology, business, music, film and culture.
A spokesperson for the event confirmed that both men were unable to travel to Britain following the Home Office’s decision.
“Decisions on entry to the UK are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned.
“SXSW London’s role is to convene a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives.”
“We remain focused on delivering a programme this week fostering open dialogue and exchange of ideas and featuring more than 800 speakers, artists and screenings,” the spokesperson added.
Piker, who reportedly attracts around 30,000 viewers daily on Twitch, had been listed as a speaker for a session titled How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet. Uygur was due to take part in a discussion called Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?
The streamer has previously faced criticism for controversial remarks, including a 2019 comment that “America deserved 9/11”, which he later admitted was inappropriate.
He has also defended past statements in which he said Hamas was “1,000 times better” than Israel and that he “would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time” during an appearance on Pod Save America.
Speaking to Variety last year, Piker insisted he was not antisemitic but described himself as “anti-Israel”.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which represents Britain’s Jewish community on security matters, praised the decision to block Piker’s entry.
The organisation said it welcomed the government’s action and “the government’s recognition that there must be consequences when public figures cross the line into hate speech”.
“While criticism of Israel is entirely legitimate, Piker has a record that goes far beyond robust or controversial political speech, including rhetoric that contains antisemitic themes”.
However, Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski criticised the move, calling it “a really grim decision”.
“People often talk about [the] dangerous road we’d go down under a Reform government – this is another clear warning we’re down there already.
“A Labour government doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.”
Human rights organisation Liberty also raised concerns over the decision.
Its director, Akiko Hart, said: “in recent months we have seen the government preventing people from entering the UK where their speech is deemed to have crossed the line”.
“It is important that any Government decisions that restrict speech adhere to the very high standards set out in UK law and that the Government is transparent about why and how decisions have been made.”
Founded by Uygur, The Young Turks is one of YouTube’s most influential political commentary programmes, covering subjects ranging from American politics and international affairs to sports and entertainment.
According to The Times, the decision to deny Uygur entry was linked to several factors, including what the newspaper described as “antisemitic tropes, such as the claim that Israel controls America” and comments he made about grooming gangs during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s YouTube programme.
The move follows other recent exclusions by the UK government. Earlier this year, rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, was denied entry after officials concluded that his presence would not be conducive to the public good following a series of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi remarks.
Last month, authorities also barred 11 foreign nationals described by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as “far-right agitators” from entering the country ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led demonstration in central London, including US-based anti-Islam activist Valentina Gomez.
