London, United Kingdom. Britain has blocked Cenk Uygur, a Turkish-American media personality, and his nephew Hasan Piker, a U.S. commentator and influencer, from entering the country to speak at events, both said on Monday. They said the ban was linked to their views on Israel.
Travel authorisation cancelled
Britain’s interior ministry said travel authorisation for “these individuals” had been cancelled because “their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good” in a statement that did not mention Israel.
The two were scheduled to speak at the SXSW London festival later this week and at the University of Oxford this weekend.
Comments from Uygur and Piker
“I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore?” Uygur posted after he said he tried to board a flight.
Piker said, “The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel.”
Piker had been due to speak at SXSW on “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet”. Uygur’s session was titled “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”
SXSW London listings
There was no mention of Israel in their sections on the SXSW London website, which describes itself as a festival of “business, technology and creativity”.
Broader context
Over the last year, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have raised concerns about what they say are infringements on free speech in Britain.
In May, the British government barred 11 people from entering the country whom it described as “foreign far-right agitators”. They had been due to speak at an event organised by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.
