Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur denied entry to UK
Internet personality hasan Piker and his uncle, political commentator Cenk Uygur, were denied entry to the United Kingdom after their electronic travel authorizations were canceled. The UK Home Office said the decision was based on what it considers the potential risk the individuals may pose to UK society, citing comments they made about Israel.
They were headed to London for SXSW London, but Uygur said he was banned for criticizing Israel and that he would not attend the festival or a planned appearance at Oxford. Piker responded that his ban was “at the behest of Israel.”
Their public comments have been linked to debates about Israel’s war and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, and the incident has prompted questions from some Jewish and pro-Israel voices about whether the UK is adequately protecting free speech. SXSW said the Home Office made the entry decision and that the festival would still proceed with its program featuring a wide range of speakers.
Internet personality Hasan Piker and his uncle, political commentator Cenk Uygur, were denied entry to the United Kingdom because their presence would “not be conducive to the public good” due to comments made about Israel, according to multiple reports.
Piker and Uygur were traveling to London to attend SXSW London — a film, music, and tech festival — when the pair’s electronic travel authorization was canceled, barring them from entering the country.
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The Home Office said canceling Piker and Uygur’s ETA was a decision “based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society.”
Uygur, the host of political talk show The Young Turks, said he was banned for “criticizing Israel,” and told fans he will no longer attend the festival or be there for a planned speech at the University of Oxford.
“I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford,” Uygur posted on X. “I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!”
Piker responded to his uncle’s post, claiming the ban was “at the behest of Israel.”
“[The U.K.] has revoked my visa as well,” Piker said. “[All] at the behest of israel. the west is betraying “liberal values” for a genocidal fascist foreign government. soon we will all become israel.”
Both Piker and Uygur have been outspoken critics of the war in Gaza, blaming Israel for the conflict that followed Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack at an Israeli music festival that killed approximately 1,200 people. Piker once claimed that Hamas is “1,000 times better” than Israel in an episode of Pod Save America, later noting that he is not antisemitic, but anti-Israel.
Piker was appearing at the festival to discuss his work as a political commentator who primarily uses the streaming platform Twitch, in addition to X and other social media platforms. He was meant to take part in a panel on Thursday titled, “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet.”
Uygur was going to appear for a session on Wednesday titled, “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”
The ban has brought into question whether the U.K. is failing to protect free speech, as some Jewish and pro-Israel commentators have released statements backing Piker and Uygur.
Pro-Israel activist Shabbos Kestenbaum said he was meant to make an appearance on Piers Morgan’s show to debate Uygur on Monday, but said the scheduled debate was canceled due to the travel ban.
Morgan responded to the news that Uygur was banned, saying, “WHAT? This is ridiculous,” in an X post.
Kestenbaum also condemned the U.K.’s action, calling out Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“This ban is completely unfounded and must be reversed,” Kestenbaum posted on X. “Free speech must always be protected and allowed. Shame on Keir Starmer.”
SXSW released a statement about the two being banned, emphasizing the decision was made by the Home Office.
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“We are aware that Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker are unable to travel to the U.K. following a decision by the Home Office,” an SXSW spokesperson said. “Decisions on entry to the U.K. 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,” the spokesperson added. “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.”
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