From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 1, 2026
UK blocks visits by US commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, who claim it’s over Israel
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Britain has blocked Cenk Uygur, a left-wing Turkish-American media personality, and his nephew, Hasan Piker, a US left-wing commentator and influencer, from entering the country to speak at events, both say.
Uygur, who co-hosts the popular YouTube channel “The Young Turks,” and Piker assert they have been barred because of their views on Israel.
Britain’s interior ministry says travel authorization for “these individuals” was cancelled as “their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good” in a statement that does not mention Israel.
They had been listed to speak at the SXSW London festival later this week, and at the University of Oxford this weekend.
“I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore?” Uygur posts, after he says he tried to board a flight.
Piker says: “The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel.”
Piker had been due to speak at SXSW about “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet.” Uygur’s session was titled: “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”
There was no mention of Israel in their sections on the website of SXSW London, which describes itself as a festival of “business, technology and creativity.”
The Times of Israel Community.