Two left-wing US political commentators banned from UK
Two US left-wing commentators have been banned from entering the UK to speak at a conference this week, the Home Office has confirmed.
Cenk Uygur, host of the long-running Young Turks online political talk show, and prominent influencer and broadcaster Hasan Piker say they have been blocked from attending SXSW London, which will air Monday through Saturday.
Both commentators had their Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) revoked by the UK government on the grounds that their presence in the country may not be beneficial to the public interest.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the decision “truly cruel” and wrote on social media: “People often talk about the dangerous path we will take under a Reform government – another clear warning that we are already there.
“The Labor government is doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli Government.”
The two banned commentators also attributed their bans to previous criticisms of Israel. Mr. Uygur wrote online: “I was banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free now? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!”
He added that he tried to board a flight to London before learning he was banned from entering the country. He was also due to speak at an event organized by Oxford University students.
Mr Piker said Britain had canceled his visa “on Israel’s orders” and that the West had “betrayed” its liberal values on behalf of a “fascist foreign government”.
The Home Office decides whether to refuse or cancel an ETA based on an assessment of the potential risk an individual poses to the UK community.
The duo will be able to apply for visas, which will be newly considered, but it likely won’t be in time for the upcoming SXSW London event.
Mr. Piker has faced backlash for comments he has made in the past, including saying “America deserved 9/11” in a 2019 broadcast, for which he later apologized and said it was “inappropriate.”
The commentator also watched comments stating that Hamas is “1000 times better” than Israel and that he would “vote for Hamas over Israel every time”. Mr. Piker said he was not anti-Semitic and described his perspective as anti-Israel.
SXSW organizers had previously described him as someone who “redefined what political commentary looks like in the digital age” and added that his livestreams reach more than 30,000 people every day.
Last week the Jewish organization Community Security Trust called on the festival to “act responsibly” and not allow the UK to become a “platform” for Mr Piker. They added that he has “a record of promoting rhetoric with anti-Semitic themes, denying well-documented atrocities, and open support for extremist groups.”
It is understood that the decision to block Mr. Uygur was based on concerns that his presence would risk exacerbating antisemitism. Times reports.
He has been accused in the past of propagating innuendo in his discussions of American-Israeli relations. The newspaper also highlighted concerns that he had ignored evidence of gang grooming in towns such as Rotherham in a meeting with Piers Morgan last year.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs declined to comment. The department, under Shabana Mahmood, who became secretary last year, has been accused by groups such as Amnesty International and Defend Our Juries of putting undue pressure on freedom of expression. More than 3,000 protesters have been arrested so far within the scope of Palestine Action, which was declared a terrorist organization by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2025.
SXSW London said: “We are aware that Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker will not be able to travel to the UK following the Home Office decision. Their decision to enter the UK is a matter for the Home Office and relevant individuals. SXSW London’s role is to bring together a wide range of voices and perspectives. This week we remain focused on delivering a program that encourages open dialogue and exchange of ideas, featuring over 800 speakers, artists and displays.”
