Left-wing US commentators blocked from entering UK over anti-Semitism fears
A pair of Left political commentators have been banned from entering the UK over concerns over anti-Semitic rhetoric, prompting Green Party leader Zach Polanksi to attack Labor over the decision.
US-based Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur were due to speak at the London SXSW conference this week but the Home Office canceled their electronic travel permits on the grounds that their presence ‘may not be in the public interest’.
Mr Polanski, of the Green Party, who has faced widespread criticism for anti-Semitism in his own party, claimed this showed ministers were ‘silencing criticism’ of the Israeli government.
Mr Polanski said: ‘This is a truly cruel decision.
‘People often talk about the dangerous path we will take under a Reform government; This is another clear warning that we have already reached that point.
‘The Labor government is doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.’
Mr. Uygur, a left-wing firebrand, faced backlash for some of his comments, including saying “America deserved 9/11” during a 2019 livestream, which he later acknowledged was “inappropriate.”
He has also repeated anti-Semitic tropes since the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, such as the claim that Israel controls America.
Hasan Piker told his Twitch viewers that his UK Electronic Travel Permit was rejected and therefore he was unable to attend events in London and Oxford.
The decision to ban him was also based on conversations he had with Piers Morgan on his YouTube channel; Uygur rejected evidence about British grooming gangs and described concerns about the issue as ‘Islamophobic’.
Mr Piker, Mr Uygur’s nephew, said last month he stood by online comments saying Hamas, banned as a terrorist organization in the UK, was ‘1000 times better’ than Israel and that he would ‘vote for Hamas over Israel every time’.
Cenk Uygur, pictured, said that he was banned from entering the UK before the demonstrations planned to be held in London and Oxford.
Both men deny that their views are anti-Semitic.
Mr Uygur, who will speak at the Oxford Union this week, told X: ‘I have been banned from the UK.
‘I tried to get on a plane to London to attend SXSW London and give a talk in Oxford. I was banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free now?
‘This is the oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country.’
Responding to his post, Mr. Piker said: ‘England also canceled my visa. All on Israel’s orders.
The broadcaster claimed that he and his uncle Cenk Uygur were both effectively banned from entering the UK despite having visited the country many times in the past
‘The West is betraying ‘liberal values’ on behalf of a genocidal fascist foreign government. ‘Soon we will all be Israel.’
He added: ‘This is open fascism.
‘Criticizing Israel while combating anti-Semitism is not a sufficient reason to prevent someone from entering the country.’
The Home Office decision comes after Labor MP David Taylor called for Mr Piker to be blocked.
Piker previously faced backlash for saying the US ‘deserved’ the September 11 terrorist attacks because of its foreign policy. He also described Hamas as the “lesser of two evils” when comparing it to Israel.
He said: ‘It was a real relief that the Ministry of Internal Affairs canceled Hasan Piker’s visa. There is no reason why we should open our doors to those who want to spread hatred and separatism, especially those who support a banned terrorist group.
‘SXSW London must review its review policies now to make sure this doesn’t happen again.’
Jewish community group CST had also called on organizers not to allow the UK to provide a ‘platform’ for Mr Piker.
A spokesperson for SXSW London said: ‘SXSW London’s role is to bring together a wide range of different voices and perspectives.
‘This week we remain focused on delivering a program that encourages open dialogue and exchange of ideas, featuring more than 800 speakers, artists and displays.’
