UK Bars US Commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker Over Israel-Related Comments

U.S. political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker from entering the United Kingdom, citing their public comments about Israel. Uygur, cofounder of The Young Turks, learned of the restriction while attempting to board a flight to London.

He had been scheduled to attend the SXSW London festival and deliver a speech at Oxford University. ” Uygur stated the government is banning him because of his criticism of Israel. “They say that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic nonetheless,” Uygur wrote in a series of posts on X.

“I didn’t get banned for criticising the UK, but for criticising Israel,” he added. ” Hasan Piker, Uygur’s nephew, said his UK visa was also revoked ahead of travel to the same events. Piker stated the decision was linked to his criticism of Israel.

“It’s a sad state of affairs where obviously the interests of Israel take highest priority,” Piker said during a livestream on Sunday. ” The Times newspaper reported that UK officials described Uygur’s presence as not “conducive to the public good,” the same terminology Piker said was used when his entry was denied.

U.S. Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, from entering the country, citing his history of anti-Semitic remarks.