Prominent Turkish-American political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker say they have been barred from entering the UK over their criticism of Israel, in a move that has sparked accusations that Britain is suppressing pro-Palestinian voices amid Israel 's ongoing war on Gaza.
Uygur, co-creator and host of The Young Turks commentary program, and Piker, one of the world's most popular political streamers, both said their visas had been revoked days before a series of scheduled appearances in Britain, including events at SXSW London and the Oxford Union.
Uygur said he learned of the decision while attempting to board a flight to London on Sunday.
"I've been banned for criticising Israel," he wrote on X.
Piker later confirmed that his own visa had also been revoked, claiming the decision came "all at the behest of Israel".
"The West is betraying 'liberal values' for a genocidal fascist foreign government. Soon we will all become Israel," he wrote.
The Home Office confirmed to The New Arab that the pair had their visas revoked "on the grounds that their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good".
A spokesperson said the decision was reportedly "based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to UK society", adding that individuals could submit a visa application if they still wished to travel to Britain.
The move has fuelled concerns among free speech advocates and pro-Palestinian campaigners, who argue that Western governments are increasingly targeting critics of Israel while continuing to support Israel's military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon.
Uygur described the decision as "absurd" and "Kafkaesque", saying he had been barred not for criticising Britain but for criticising Israel.
"This is crazy. So now in Western governments we're allowed to criticise Western governments, we're allowed to criticise our own government, we're allowed to criticise anything we like, except the government of Israel," he said in a YouTube video.
"If you don't think that's insane, there's something wrong with you."
The two commentators had been scheduled to speak at several events in Britain this week. Uygur was due to appear at SXSW London on Wednesday, while Piker was set to speak on Thursday.
Both were also due to appear at the Oxford Union on Saturday, while Uygur was scheduled to give a separate lecture hosted by Oxford Speaks at Exeter College on Friday.
The New Arab has contacted SXSW London, the Oxford Union and Oxford Speaks for comment.
Ash Sarkar, contributing editor at Novara Media and the moderator scheduled to chair Piker's SXSW discussion, called on organisers to facilitate the pair's participation remotely.
"As a bare minimum refusal to comply with government censorship," she wrote on X.
Sarkar argued that "it's abundantly clear that the UK government has put Israel at the heart of its policymaking around free expression".
The decision was also criticised by several UK politicians who were reportedly scheduled to appear with Piker during his planned visit, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who was due to feature alongside him on Bold Politics , and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, who had been set to join him for an interview with PoliticsJOE .
Polanski described the move as "grim", while Corbyn called it "an absurd and cowardly decision from an increasingly authoritarian government".
The controversy comes after Labour MP David Taylor publicly called on the government to bar Piker from entering Britain, alleging that his presence would not be "conducive to the public good", according to The Guardian. The newspaper also reported that the Community Security Trust (CST), a British Jewish security organisation, had pressed British authorities to deny Piker entry over allegations that he had reportedly "minimised atrocities" and expressed support for "extremist groups".
Piker has become a frequent target of pro-Israel groups and commentators over his outspoken criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights.
He has consistently rejected accusations of antisemitism, arguing that opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza and support for Palestinian rights should not be conflated with hostility towards Jewish people.
During an appearance at the Oxford Union in 2024, Piker also warned about rising antisemitism in Western societies while criticising Israel's conduct in Gaza.