Two US-based political commentators have been barred from entering Britain to appear at a London festival following significant public outcry. Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur were scheduled to speak at London SXSW this week, but had their electronic travel authorisation (ETA) revoked by the Home Office on the grounds that their presence "may not be conducive to the public good".
Background of the Speakers
Mr Piker had been listed as a speaker at a session entitled How The American Left Learned To Speak The Internet, while Mr Uygur was set to participate in a debate titled Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords? Mr Uygur has faced considerable criticism over a number of his remarks, including allegedly stating during a 2019 livestream that "America deserved 9/11", which he later acknowledged was "inappropriate".
Controversial Statements
Last month, he reaffirmed comments he had made including that Hamas was "1,000 times better" than Israel and that he "would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time", made during an appearance on Pod Save America. In an interview with Variety last year, he maintained that he was not antisemitic but "anti-Israel".
The Times reports that the decision to deny entry to Mr Uygur, who is Mr Piker's uncle, was driven by fears that his attendance could heighten antisemitism. He had additionally been booked to address an event organised by University of Oxford students.
Reactions to the Ban
Taking to X, Mr Uygur wrote: "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." Responding 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."
Political Responses
The Home Office's move follows Labour MP David Taylor's demand for Mr Piker to be denied entry. He commented: "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 organisation CST had similarly pressed organisers not to permit the UK to become a "platform" for Mr Piker. The festival has been contacted for comment.
In response to the decision, 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."
Context of Similar Bans
The most recent ETA cancellation follows Kanye West, who has displayed Nazi imagery and been accused of antisemitism, being prevented from entering the UK to headline Wireless festival. Earlier this month, the Government prevented 11 foreign nationals, whom Sir Keir Starmer branded "far-right agitators", from entering the country ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led demonstration in central London. Among those reportedly refused entry were Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
