Calls grow for Home Office to block US ‘anti-Israel’ streamer Hasan Piker from entering UK
A Labor MP has called for a leading US livestreamer to be banned from entering the UK and called on the Home Office to cancel his visa ahead of a planned show at a festival in London.
Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor stated that Hasan Piker’s presence “would not be in the public interest”.
Mr. Piker, a prominent online personality with more than three million followers on Twitch and more than 1.5 million followers on X, was listed as a speaker at London SXSW in early June.
He is preparing to attend an event titled “How the American Left Learned to Speak on the Internet.”
The festival champions him as someone who is “redefining what political commentary looks like in the digital age,” highlighting that his livestreams reach more than 30,000 people a day.
However, the live streamer faced serious backlash due to many controversial comments.
In 2019, he reportedly claimed during a livestream that “America deserved 9/11,” and he later admitted that the statement was “inappropriate.”
Last month, Mr. Piker stood by his comments in an episode of Pod Save America in which he claimed that Hamas was “1,000 times better” than Israel and that he would “vote for Hamas over Israel every time.”
In an interview with Variety last year, he said he was not anti-Semitic, but “anti-Israeli.”
Labor MP Mr Taylor said: “It is shocking that SXSW would invite someone who openly supports a proscribed terrorist organization and spews such disgusting antisemitic rhetoric to speak at their festival.
“While the unacceptable rise of antisemitism on our streets leaves British Jews in constant anxiety, it is clear that Hasan Piker is not in the public interest.
“The Home Office should cancel his visa immediately.”
Jewish community group CST called on organizers to “act responsibly” and not allow the UK to become a “platform” for Mr Piker.
“Hasan Piker has a history of promoting rhetoric with anti-Semitic themes, denying well-documented atrocities, and open support for extremist groups.
“This is completely unacceptable, especially considering their large online following.
“At a time when antisemitism is at record levels in the UK, it is vital that all institutions, including event organisers, act responsibly and consider the potential impact of such rhetoric.
“The UK should not be a platform for individuals who spread hatred or legitimize extremism.”
Other speakers at SXSW London include relationship therapist Esther Perel, Chelsea Clinton and Ant & Dec.
The festival did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Press Association but he said in a statement Times He noted that the event brought together “a broad range of speakers with different associations, affiliations and perspectives” and that “inclusion in the program does not imply endorsement of all organizations with which a speaker may be directly or indirectly affiliated.”
He added: “SXSW London is built as an open platform for exchange between culture, business, creativity and technology, guided by our ethical framework and code of conduct.”
The call to block Mr Piker’s visa comes after Kanye West, who used Nazi imagery and faced accusations of antisemitism, was banned from traveling to the UK to headline the Wireless festival.
The government also blocked 11 foreign nationals whom Sir Keir Starmer described as “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of a rally led by Tommy Robinson in central London earlier this month.
Those who claim to have been banned include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
