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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

UK bars US political commentators from entering country

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • The UK's interior ministry canceled the Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) of two US-based political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker.
  • The ministry cited that their presence in the UK "may not be conducive to the public good" as the reason for the ban.
  • Both commentators, critical of Israel, believe the ban is politically motivated and constitutes oppression, linking it to "liberal values" being betrayed.

Britain's interior ministry has blocked two US-based political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, from entering the country by canceling their Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs). The ministry stated that their presence "may not be conducive to the public good."

These individuals’ Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been cancelled on the grounds that their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good.

— UK Interior MinistryThe ministry provided the official reason for canceling the commentators' travel authorizations.

Uygur, founder of the left-wing YouTube channel The Young Turks, and Piker, a streamer and creator, were scheduled to speak at the SXSW London festival this week. Piker was slated for an event titled "How The American Left Learned to Speak The Internet," while Uygur was to participate in a discussion on "Techno-Feudalism Is Here. Who Are The Lords?"

I've been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free anymore?

— Cenk UygurUygur expressed his view on the UK's decision via a post on X.

Both commentators are known for their criticism of Israel. Piker reportedly made a controversial statement in 2019, saying "America deserved 9/11," which he later called "inappropriate." Uygur condemned the entry ban, writing on X, "I've been banned for criticising Israel. Are we free anymore?" He further posted, "This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country."

This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country.

— Cenk UygurUygur characterized the UK's action as government oppression influenced by another nation.

Piker echoed these sentiments, stating, "the uk has revoked my visa as well. all at the behest of israel. the west is betraying ‘liberal values’ for a genocidal fascist foreign government. soon we will all become israel." The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the UK following attacks targeting the Jewish community. Last month, the British government also denied entry to US rapper Kanye West due to his past antisemitic remarks.

the uk has revoked my visa as well. all at the behest of israel. the west is betraying ‘liberal values’ for a genocidal fascist foreign government. soon we will all become israel.

— Hasan PikerPiker shared his perspective on the ban, linking it to Israeli influence and a betrayal of Western values.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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