Britain01 June, 20262 min read
UK Home Office Bars Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur From Entering for Public Events
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UK Home Office blocked their entry and canceled electronic travel authorizations. They were scheduled to speak at SXSW London and the Oxford Union.
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ETA canceled for two
British authorities barred US political commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering the United Kingdom for public events after the Home Office canceled their electronic travel authorizations.
“I've been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?”
The Home Office said the cancellations were made because their presence in the U.K. "may not be conducive to the public good," and the decision was based on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to U.K. society.
Piker and Uygur were due to speak at SXSW London and Uygur was also expected to give a speech at the Oxford Union, according to the BBC and ABC News.
Piker said in response that "I've been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free any more?" while Uygur said the ban was "for criticizing Israel" as well, framing it as oppression of western citizens on behalf of another country.
Competing explanations
The Guardian reported that the UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood barred Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker from entering the UK, and it said the Home Office confirmed their ETA was canceled because their presence "may not be conducive to the public good". The Guardian also said there was no official on-the-record statement explaining the specific reason, but it was understood the men were blocked because of concerns they could exacerbate antisemitism.
In contrast, Al Jazeera quoted Uygur saying he was prevented from boarding a flight to London "because of his criticism of Israel," and it quoted Piker saying his visa was canceled "at the request of Israel." The BBC reported that Labour MP David Taylor thanked the home secretary for the decision, writing that there was "no reason to open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division".
What happens next
The Guardian said there is no right to administrative review or appeal against a decision made on an ETA application, though Uygur and Piker could reapply in the future. The BBC reported that SXSW London said it was aware the pair were unable to travel because of the Home Office revoking their visas, and that its role was to convene "a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives."
The BBC also reported that the Community Security Trust welcomed the decision to bar Piker, saying it was the government's recognition that there must be consequences when public figures cross the line into hate speech. In a separate context, ABC News noted that in April the UK barred rapper Ye from entering the country and that Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government "stands firmly with the Jewish community" in its fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism.