US Political Commentators Denied UK Entry by Home Office
Two American left-wing content creators have been prevented from entering the United Kingdom after the Home Office revoked their visas.
Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer and political commentator, and Cenk Uygur, co-founder and host of the left-wing populist YouTube show "The Young Turks," were both scheduled to speak at the SXSW London festival and an event in Oxford.
Both individuals have criticised the UK government’s decision, alleging they were "banned for criticising Israel." Piker has faced criticism for making pro-Hamas remarks, while Uygur has described Israel's actions in Gaza as "barbaric." The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
On the social media platform X, Uygur stated:
"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."
Responding to Uygur’s post, Piker wrote:
"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."
It is understood that both men had their Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA) cancelled. The Home Office may cancel an ETA based on an assessment of the potential risk an individual might pose to the UK public good.
Labour MP David Taylor, who recently called for Piker to be barred from entering the UK, expressed support for the decision, stating on X:
"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."
SXSW London is a six-day event held in East London's Shoreditch, featuring talks on business, technology, music, film, and culture.
A spokesperson for SXSW London acknowledged awareness that the two individuals were unable to travel due to visa revocations by the Home Office, adding:
"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."
Piker reportedly has a daily audience of approximately 30,000 viewers for his extended streams on Twitch, according to a profile on the SXSW London website, which has since been removed.
He was listed as a participant in an event titled "How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet." Uygur was scheduled to join a discussion called "Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?"
Other controversial comments from Piker include a 2019 statement claiming "America deserved 9/11," which he later acknowledged was inappropriate. He also stated that Hamas was "1,000 times better" than Israel and that he "would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time" during an episode of Pod Save America.
Piker, who is Uygur's nephew, told Variety last year that he is not antisemitic but identifies as "anti-Israel."
The Community Security Trust, a Jewish community organisation, welcomed the decision to bar Piker from entering the UK, stating:
"The government's recognition that there must be consequences when public figures cross the line into hate speech is welcome. 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."
Green Party leader Zack Polanski described the visa denials as "a really grim decision," commenting:
"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."
Liberty Human Rights also criticised the government's decision. Director Akiko Hart stated:
"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."
Uygur's show, The Young Turks, covers topics including US politics, global conflict, sports, and pop culture. It is one of the most popular shows of its kind on YouTube, attracting hundreds of millions of monthly views.
The Times reports that the decision to block Uygur was based on various factors, including what the paper describes as "antisemitic tropes, such as the claim that Israel controls America," and comments he made about grooming gangs on Piers Morgan's YouTube show.
The visa denial follows earlier this year when Kanye West, now known as Ye, was blocked from entering the UK after the Home Office stated his presence would not be conducive to the public good. West has previously caused outrage for a series of antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi remarks.
The government also barred 11 foreign nationals described by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as "far-right agitators" from entering the UK ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led rally in central London last month. This group included US-based anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez.
