UK bans entry, revokes visas of activists Hasan Piker, Cenk Uygur over anti-Israel rhetoric
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The UK has banned and revoked visas for streamers Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur due to their anti-Israel rhetoric.
- The Home Office cited Piker as a "serious risk to public order" and Uygur claimed the ban was at Israel's behest.
- Both individuals were scheduled to participate in the SXSW festival in London.
The United Kingdom has banned prominent streamers Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering the country, revoking their visas over what the British Home Office described as "anti-Israel rhetoric."
Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!
The Home Office declared Uygur a "serious risk to the public order," according to a post by the Young Turks founder. Uygur, in turn, claimed the ban was "on behalf of a different country" and an "oppression of Western citizens by our own governments." He also stated it was an "honor to have made Israel's enemies list" and expressed pride in fighting against what he called their "genocide."
Piker, Uygur's nephew, stated on X that the UK had revoked his visa "at the behest of Israel." He further asserted that "The West is betraying 'liberal values' for a genocidal fascist foreign government." Both were expected to attend the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in London.
The mighty United Kingdom is afraid of speech that shows you who's responsible for those war crimes. But no amount of censorship will get us to stop telling the truth.
This action follows reports that the U.S. Treasury Department subpoenaed Piker last week as part of an investigation into whether activists violated U.S. sanctions during a visit to Cuba. The investigation reportedly includes around 40 U.S. citizens who worked with foreign nationals.
The West is betraying 'liberal values' for a genocidal fascist foreign government. Soon we will all become Israel.
Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.