Hasan Piker, Cenk Uygur Denied Entry to UK Over Palestine Support

Two prominent US commentators say they have been banned from entering the UK this week because of their outspoken stances against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Hasan Piker, who streams to an audience of millions on his Twitch channel, and Cenk Uygur, who hosts The Young Turks political talk show, were both due to appear at SXSW London, a music, film and technology festival. 

They were also planning to give talks organised by Oxford University students. 

“I’ve been banned from the UK,” Uygur wrote on X. “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 anymore? This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country.”

Piker replied to the post and wrote: “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.”

He added on Twitch that he had planned to take part in events with Green party leader Zack Polanski, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis.

“A sad state of affairs,” Piker said, “where obviously the interests of Israel take the highest priority.” 

On the same stream, he read from a letter informing him his UK Electronic Travel Authorisation had been cancelled because “your presence in the UK is not considered conducive to the public good”.

It comes after pro-Israel Labour MP David Taylor called on the Home Office to ban Piker last week. 

“This is a warning,” Piker said. “The western world and liberal democracy is a sham.” 

Uygur, who co-founded The Young Turks in 2002, said on X: “It’s an honour to have made Israel’s enemies list. I’m very proud to have fought against their genocide. 

“The mighty United Kingdom is afraid of speech that shows you who’s responsible for those war crimes. But no amount of censorship will get us to stop telling the truth.”

The Young Turks has more than 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube and also broadcasts across various other platforms.