LONDON, June 1, 2026 — American political commentator Cenk Uygur and online broadcaster Hasan Piker have alleged that the United Kingdom barred them from entering the country because of their public criticism of Israel.
Uygur, co-founder of the online political news and commentary network The Young Turks, said he learned of the decision while attempting to board a flight to London. He was scheduled to attend the SXSW London festival and deliver a speech at Oxford University.
In a series of posts on X, Uygur said British authorities informed him that he had been classified as a “serious threat to public order.” According to him, officials linked the decision to statements he had made criticizing Israel and discussing Israeli influence in U.S. politics.
“The British government says they are banning me because criticizing Israel makes me a serious threat to public order,” Uygur wrote, arguing that his comments were based on facts and should not be considered antisemitic.
He further stated that the decision was not related to any remarks about the United Kingdom itself, but rather to statements he had made in the United States regarding Israel. Uygur described the situation as contradictory and “surreal.”
Shortly afterward, political commentator and popular livestreamer Hasan Piker announced on X that his UK visa had also been revoked. Piker, who was expected to attend the same event, suggested that the decision was similarly connected to his criticism of Israel.
The allegations have drawn attention amid ongoing debates in Western countries over free speech, antisemitism, and criticism of Israeli government policies.
The reported actions come only weeks after British authorities barred American rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, from entering the UK, citing his previous antisemitic remarks.
As of Sunday, British authorities had not publicly commented on the specific claims made by Uygur and Piker.
