Two prominent left-wing U.S. political commentators were barred from entering the United Kingdom this week after the British Home Office revoked their Electronic Travel Authorisations, preventing them from appearing at SXSW London and other speaking events.
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and his uncle, broadcaster Cenk Uygur. had been scheduled to participate in SXSW London panels focused on digital media and political discourse. One was also due to speak at an event hosted by the Oxford Union.
British authorities said the decision was made because their presence in the country "may not be conducive to the public good," as The Guardian reports.
In a statement posted on social media, Uygur linked the decision to his criticism of Israel and Western policy toward Gaza:
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!
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) May 31, 2026
Responding to his post, 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."
The Home Office confirmed to Variety that the Electronic Travel Authorisations had been revoked following an assessment of "the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society." Officials added that the individuals could still apply for formal visas if they wished to travel to Britain.
The decision followed public criticism from political figures and advocacy groups such as Labour MP David Taylor who had called for one of the commentators to be blocked from speaking in the U.K., arguing his presence was "not conducive to the public good."
The Community Security Trust, a British Jewish security organization, also urged SXSW London not to provide a platform to one of the speakers, citing what it described as rhetoric involving "antisemitic themes" and apparent support for extremist groups, as The Guardian reports.
Both commentators have faced controversy over past remarks. Piler previously apologized for saying during a 2019 livestream that "America deserved 9/11," later describing the comment as "inappropriate."
The bans come amid broader scrutiny by the U.K. government over foreign speakers and political influencers. In recent months, British authorities have denied entry to several far-right activists and commentators tied to anti-immigration demonstrations, as well as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, over antisemitic remarks.
SXSW London said its role is to host "a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives" and stressed that participation in the festival does not imply endorsement of a speaker's views. The Oxford Union said it was "deeply concerned" by the decision and was exploring options to hold the planned discussion online.
