Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has lashed out at the British authorities after he and his uncle, Cenk Uygur, were barred from entering the UK. They have both been accused of propagating antisemitism, and the ban means they will no longer be able to attend SXSW London, where they were scheduled to speak.
UK denies entry to Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur for SXSW London after allegedly criticizing Israel
Piker, who is known online by the name HasanAbi, was scheduled to appear in a panel named ‘How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet,’ while Uygur was set to speak on ‘Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?’, as per the reports by Variety.
Uygur, the host of the Young Turks online political talk show, took it to X and 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 criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!”
Piker also 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.”
According to Fox News, Pike said the decision is part of a wider pattern of governments suppressing anti-Israel voices. He said, “This is straight-up fascism. Being critical of Israel while combating antisemitism is not a good enough reason to bar someone’s entry into the country.”
Home Office representatives informed Variety that their Electronic Travel Authorisations were revoked because “their presence in the U.K. may not be conducive to the public good. Decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society.”
An SXSW London spokesperson told the outlet that they were aware that Uygur and Piker could not travel to the UK following a Home Office decision. The spokesperson added, “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.”
TELL US- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?
