Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, both due to speak at the Oxford Union later this week, have been barred from entering the UK after the Home Office revoked their Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs).
Uygur and Piker had been scheduled to appear for an event advertised as “Joint Event & Student Head-to-Head” at the Union on 6th June. Both were also due to take part in events at South by Southwest London (SXSW), a music, film, and technology festival. Uygur was additionally expected to speak this term at an event hosted by Oxford Speaks.
Uygur is the founder and host of The Young Turks, an online news and politics talk show. Piker, Uygur’s nephew, is one of the most followed political livestreamers worldwide, with millions of followers across Twitch, YouTube, and X. Both are prominent figures in online left-wing commentary, particularly through their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Ugyur announced the decision on social media on X last night, writing: “I’ve been banned from the UK. I tried to get on a flight to London to attend SXSW London and give a speech at Oxford. I’ve been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!”
In a video published on The Young Turks channel this morning, Uygur added that he currently holds a two-year visa, which he understands to have been revoked, and described the decision as “a bit of a gut punch”.
Responding to Uygur’s tweet, Piker said that his authorisation had also been revoked, writing: “The UK has revoked my visa as well. all at the behest of Israel.” He also claimed that the decision reflected a broader abandonment of “liberal values” by Western governments.
A Home Office spokesperson told The Guardian that the pair’s ETAs had been cancelled because their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good”. The spokesperson added that such decisions are based on assessments of the risk an individual may pose to society.
According to The Times, concerns were raised by the Home Office about Uygur’s previous comments on Israel. The newspaper reported that the Home Office decision is understood to have been based on concerns that his presence could exacerbate antisemitism. The Times coverage also cited concerns regarding comments Uygur had made about grooming gang scandals in the UK.
Oxford Union President Arwa Elrayess told Cherwell that the Union was “deeply concerned” by the revocation of the speakers’ ETAs. She described the timing of the decision as “troubling” given that the event had been “publicly announced for months”. Elrayess added that the Union was founded on the principle that “ideas should be challenged through debate, not ignored or silenced”, and argued that invited speakers should be able to express their views and be challenged by members “irrespective of political viewpoint”.
Elrayess also told Cherwell that the Union would “not allow this event to be shut down”, and is exploring alternative options for the event, including hosting it online, and said the society remains “steadfast in its commitment to open debate”.
The decision follows criticism of both speakers from politicians and campaign groups. Last week, Labour MP David Taylor called for Piker to be prevented from speaking in the UK, and added in a tweet shared this morning: “Thank you Home Secretary for revoking Hasan Piker’s visa. There’s no reason to open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially to those who’ve supported a proscribed terror group.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which provides physical security, training, and advice to protect British Jews, also urged organisers of SXSW London not to provide Piker with a platform. CST accused him of “promoting rhetoric that includes antisemitic themes, denial of well-documented atrocities and apparent support for extremist groups”.
Piker has also faced criticism for a number of previous remarks. In 2019, he apologised after saying that “America deserved 9/11”, later describing the comments as inappropriate. He has also been criticised for comments about Hamas and Israel, including saying that he “would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time” on an episode of Pod Save America. Piker has repeatedly denied accusations of antisemitism, describing himself as anti-Israel rather than antisemitic.
The decision also comes amid ongoing controversy over speakers invited to the Oxford Union. Earlier this term, Carl Benjamin was disinvited from a Union debate following objections from student groups. Far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox are also due to speak at an event later in the term, which has incurred significant backlash from across the University and the Oxford community.
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