Israel-hating podcasters barred from Britain over antisemitism

Far-left anti-Israel podcasters Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur banned from entering Britain ahead of scheduled appearance.

By World Israel News Staff

Britain has barred far-left American podcasters Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker from entering the country, citing concerns that their public remarks since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel could incite antisemitism.

Uygur, co-founder and host of “The Young Turks,” and Piker, a prominent left-wing Twitch streamer and Uygur’s nephew, had been scheduled to appear at SXSW London. Uygur also said he had been due to speak at the Oxford Union.

The Home Office confirmed that the electronic travel authorizations for “these individuals” had been canceled, saying their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good.”

But Uygur said the written notice he received went further, accusing him of posing “a serious risk to the public order” and saying his presence “could incite antisemitism following his statements since October 7.”

Uygur rejected the accusation, saying he was being punished for criticism of Israel.

“I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore?” he wrote on X.

He also disputed the charge that his comments were antisemitic, saying British authorities had objected to his claim that Israel exercises influence over the US government through political donations.

“They say that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic nonetheless,” Uygur wrote.

He later called the decision “absolutely Kafkaesque.”

Piker said his visa had also been revoked and framed the move as part of a broader crackdown on anti-Israel speech.

“The UK has revoked my visa as well. All at the behest of Israel,” he wrote.

The Home Office did not publicly release the full notice sent to either man. In its public statement, it said decisions to cancel travel authorizations on public-good grounds are based on “an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to UK society.” It said those affected could still apply for visas if they wished to travel.

The decision followed criticism from Jewish groups and British lawmakers over both men’s past comments about Israel, Hamas and the war in Gaza.

The Community Security Trust, a British Jewish security group, had urged SXSW organizers not to provide Piker a platform, accusing him of rhetoric involving antisemitic themes, denial of atrocities and apparent support for extremist groups.

Piker has drawn criticism for past comments saying he would choose Hamas over Israel, for remarks claiming that Orthodox Jews are “inbred” and for denying Hamas rapes during the October 7 attacks.

Labour MP David Taylor had also called for Piker to be blocked from entering Britain, arguing that his presence would not be in the public interest.

Uygur has separately faced accusations that his criticism of pro-Israel influence in American politics crosses into antisemitic conspiracy rhetoric.

The two commentators had been listed as speakers at SXSW London, a festival focused on business, technology and culture. Piker’s planned session was titled “How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet,” while Uygur’s was titled “Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?”