Two left-wing political commentators have been blocked from entering the UK to speak at a London festival after the Home Office revoked their visas.
Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur were both due to speak at London SXSW in early June, but had their electronic travel authorisations (ETA) cancelled by the Home Office because their presence “may not be conducive to the public good”.
Mr Piker was listed as among the speakers at an event called How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet, while Mr Uygur was due to take part in a discussion called Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?
Mr Piker, who is a Twitch streamer and political commentator, has come under fire for making pro-Hamas comments, while Mr Uygur, who co-founded and hosts left-wing populist show "The Young Turks" on YouTube, has called Israel's actions in Gaza "barbaric".
Mr Piker reportedly said on a livestream in 2019 that “America deserved 9/11”, which he later acknowledged was “inappropriate”.
He has stood by his comments that Hamas was “1,000 times better” than Israel and that he “would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time” in an episode of Pod Save America.
In an interview with Variety last year, Mr Piker said he was not antisemitic but “anti-Israel”.
According to The Times, the decision to block Mr Uygur was based on concerns his presence would risk exacerbating antisemitism, after he made claims that Israel controls America, and made comments about grooming gangs on Piers Morgan's YouTube show.
Posting on X, Mr Uygur said: “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.”
Replying to his post, Mr Piker said: “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.”
Labour MP David Taylor, who had called for Mr Piker to be blocked from entering the UK, praised the Home Office’s decision.
He wrote on X: “It’s a real relief that the Home Office has revoked Hasan Piker’s visa.
“There is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group.
“SXSW London must now review its vetting policies to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Jewish community group The Community Security Trust (CST) also welcomed the decision, having urged organisers not to allow the UK to be a “platform” for Mr Piker.
They said in a statement: "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 said: “This is a really grim decision.
“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.”
A SXSW London spokesperson said: “We are aware that Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker are unable to travel to the UK following a decision by the Home Office.
“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.
“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.”
The ETA cancellations come after Kanye West was blocked from coming to the UK to headline Wireless festival, with the Home Office saying his presence would not be conducive to the public good.
The controversial singer has faced accusations of antisemitism and racism, and has made pro-Nazi comments.
11 foreign nationals were also blocked from entering the UK ahead of the Tommy Robinson-led rally in central London in May.
Sir Keir Starmer described the individuals, including anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez and Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, as “far-right agitators”.
