UK revokes travel authorisations for podcasters Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker over Israel criticism

Ban on Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur should terrify the entire 'British public' Submitted by Shereen Fernandez on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 16:26 Home Office decision to deny entry to anti-Zionist US political commentators highlights a broader assault on domestic freedoms Political commentator Hasan Piker attends an event in Los Angeles, California, on 15 March 2026 (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/AFP) On This past March, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood quoted George Orwell’s essay “The Lion and the Unicorn” during a speech on immigration and asylum.  Two months later, Mahmood’s outrageous decision to block American citizens and political commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering the UK, apparently on the basis of their criticisms of Israel, evokes the very authoritarians that Orwell’s most famous works decry.  Many analysts have discussed the impacts of this decision on Piker and Ugyur as individuals, highlighting the illiberal and undemocratic theft of their freedoms of movement and speech. But it also has broader implications for British citizens. Both Piker and Uygur were scheduled to speak at the SXSW festival and the Oxford Union when Mahmood revoked their electronic travel authorisations, arguing that their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good”. This elastic phrase not only positions non-citizens Piker and Uygur outside the borders of the British “public” supposedly defended by the Home Office, but constitutes that very “public” through the expulsion of anti-Zionism. Anyone who dares to speak out against the UK government’s material and diplomatic support for Israel is cast as a threat to, rather than a member of, that “public”. Like its synonym “the people”, “the public” is described by sociologists Stuart Hall and David Held as a “discursive figure, a rhetorical device” that can be exploited as a form of populist mobilisation against those who are “not one of us”.  Yet where “the people” under Thatcherism excluded various minority groups, as Hall and Held explain, Mahmood’s Zionist “public” excludes the majority of British people who, according to recent YouGov polling, oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians and brutal invasion of Lebanon.  Erosion of democratic principles Casting people outside “the public” is not merely a rhetorical exercise. In addition to holding virtually unchecked power over travel authorisation for American visitors, the UK home secretary can strip British people of their citizenship if she feels it is “conducive to the public good”.  Recall how Sajid Javid, then the Conservative home secretary, wielded that power to strip Shamima Begum of her citizenship in 2019 (flouting international law by effectively rendering her stateless) after the teenager was groomed online to join the Islamic State group in Syria.  At the time, Javid defended this unprecedented decision by insisting that Begum posed such an exceptional threat that it would be far too perilous to allow her to return to the UK to fight her citizenship case. In doing so, he implemented a “state of exception”, in philosopher Giorgio Agamben’s terms, in which the law paradoxically employs “the suspension of law itself”. Anyone who dares to speak out against the UK government's material and diplomatic support for Israel is cast as a threat to, rather than a member of, that 'public' When apologists for Javid argue that such punishments are only reserved for the worst of the worst criminals - that most people would never dream of joining a proscribed terrorist group - they are normalising what Agamben described as the “transformation of a provisional and exceptional measure into a technique of government”.  In other words, they are excusing the erosion of democratic principles, which are supposed to secure our status and rights as citizens, and leaving us all vulnerable to the whims of individual home secretaries.  Consider how Mahmood’s predecessor, Yvette Cooper, branded Palestine Action a “terrorist organisation”, framing activists as national security threats after several incidents of vandalism, including at a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. The group has consistently engaged in direct action against companies accused of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine, including the UK subsidiary of Israel’s largest weapons manufactur, Elbit Systems. Weaponising what Amnesty International has called an “extremely broad” legal definition of terrorism, the proscription absurdly equates neo-Nazi groups like National Action, whose leader says he wants a genocide against British minorities, with conscientious citizens exposing the UK’s failure to comply with the International Court of Justice’s provisional order to prevent the genocide of Palestinians.  Undermining solidarity on the left Overnight, British people protesting Israeli crimes were cast as criminals. Mass arrests ensued. Pensioners and vicars with signs reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” were hauled off to police stations as public menaces, accused of endorsing “terrorism”.  And when the High Court stepped in this past February to rule that the chilling proscription was “unlawful”, Mahmood said she would appeal the decision (at British taxpayers’ expense), ensuring that the suspension of law remains, in Agamben’s words, the “dominant paradigm of government”.  Meanwhile, there has been no investigation into more than 2,000 British Israeli dual citizens who were recruited by the Israeli army to participate in the Gaza genocide.  'Ridiculous': Social media reacts as Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur denied entry to UK Read More » When the home secretary overlooks soldiers allegedly involved in “targeted killings of civilians and aid workers, indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, attacks on hospitals and protected sites, and the forced transfer and displacement of civilians”, while declaring that the presence of people opposed to such crimes is not “conducive to the public good”, she redraws the moral borders of British citizenship, with full membership becoming contingent on adherence to Zionism.  It is not difficult to imagine how a far-right Restore Britain or Reform UK government could further constrict those borders, expelling anyone it deems a “threat” to its ethno-nationalist ideals - a category that could encompass Muslims, socialists, trans people and postcolonial scholars, among others. By blocking Piker and Uygur from entering the UK, Mahmood is attacking the fundamental rights and freedoms of the current Labour government’s political opponents, no matter how peaceful their protests may be. I cannot help but wonder whether Piker’s plans to meet anti-Zionist opposition leaders Zack Polanski of the Green Party and Jeremy Corbyn of Your Party factored into Mahmood’s decision, in a desperate attempt to undermine transnational solidarity on the left.  In the short term, Piker and Uygur should have their travel authorisations reinstated. Beyond that, the home secretary’s unilateral power to revoke British citizenship must be repealed if we are to protect democratic principles against the rise of fascism.  The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye. Human Rights Opinion Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

SXSW festival slammed for not defending Piker and Uygur after UK ban Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 12:14 Speakers have begun pulling out of the major cultural festival in London, accusing it of not supporting free speech King Charles visits last year's SXSW London on 5 June, 2025 (Screengrab/X) Off The SXSW London festival has been slammed for failing to defend American political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker after the British government banned them from entering the country to speak at the event. Piker called SXSW "actual fucking losers", and some speakers have dropped out in protest over what they say is SXSW's failure to stand up for free speech. The two were scheduled to speak at the Oxford Union and SXSW London, a major cultural festival. Prominent British politicians have condemned the ban as an attack on free speech, accusing the government of targeting criticism of Israel. While the Oxford Union has condemned the government's decision to ban the two speakers and vowed to allow them to speak over a livestream, SXSW's markedly different response has been widely criticised. SXSW London said in a statement on Monday: "Decisions on entry to the U.K. are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned. SXSW London’s role is to convene a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives." Piker and Uygur were scheduled to speak at SXSW events respectively titled "How the American Left Learned to Speak the Internet" and "Techno-Feudalism is Here. Who Are the Lords?" Responding to SXSW's statement, Piker said on X: "sxsw was a minor part of my trip to the uk, they totally didn’t defend me or cenk at all, they’re actual fucking losers and i will never work with them for the rest of my life. if you bought a ticket expecting to see me you should demand a refund." Piker also said on a livestream on Monday night that "Oxford Union at least had the integrity to be like, this is fucking bullshit, what is the British government doing? South by Southwest was like, lol peace!" Outrage from fellow speakers Journalist Ash Sarkar, a contributing editor at Novara Media, posted an email on X that she sent to SXSW, announcing she was pulling out of the festival. "If I was in their [Uygur and Piker's] shoes," Sarkar said, "I would hope that any organisation which invited me to speak, and had their programming interfered with by the Home Office, would have had the minimal expected integrity to offer some defence of lawful free expression and condemn government overreach." Oxford Union president vows to platform Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur in defiance of UK ban Read More » Zara Rahum, a political advisor who had been set to speak alongside Piker on his panel at the festival, also denounced SXSW, saying: "The entire premise of our panel was rooted in examining why audiences increasingly distrust institutions, gatekeepers, and traditional power structures' political discourse, and whose voices are permitted legitimacy in public life." She added: "There's an obvious irony in hosting a conference about the future of media, democracy, dissent, and political power while responding so cautiously to the banning of one of the most influential political commentators from even entering the country. … I appreciate everyone's time and the work that went into putting this together, but under the circumstances, stepping away feels like the only option for me." SXSW has been embroiled in controversy in previous years. In 2024 more than 80 artists withdrew from its event in the US in protest at its partnership with the United States military and defence contractor RTX Corporation.  In response, SXSW discontinued those partnerships, saying that "the US army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025". But last year the SXSW event in London was also criticised when it was leaked that former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron were scheduled to make unannounced appearances to speak.  Numerous speakers dropped out, citing Blair and Cameron's records in the Middle East. Cameron was Conservative foreign secretary in late 2023 and early 2024 when the British government backed Israel's war on Gaza.  'Banned for criticising Israel' The British Home Office said Uygur and Piker had been barred "on the grounds that their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good” and that "decisions to refuse or cancel an ETA [Electronic Travel Authorisation] on these grounds are based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to UK society." Hasan Piker was set to meet Zack Polanski and Jeremy Corbyn in UK before being banned Read More » Uygur posted on X that the British government said "that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic nonetheless. Don't know if facts will soon be banned in Britain. "I didn't get banned for criticizing the UK, but for criticizing Israel. They broke the irony record by saying it was because I said Israel might control other governments. I wonder if they're going to ban themselves."  The ban on Piker and Uygur has attracted criticism from prominent British politicians, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Polanski claimed the Labour government was "doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government". Meanwhile Corbyn denounced the move as "an attack on the freedom to criticise Israel, as well as the UK government’s own complicity in genocide". UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Oxford Union president vows to platform Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur in defiance of UK ban Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 11:00 'Free speech does not require a visa', said Arwa Elrayess, the Palestinian president of the prestigious student debating society Hasan Piker, a streamer and outspoken critic of Israel, addresses the Oxford Union in 2025 (Screengrab/X) Off The Oxford Union, former British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan once proclaimed, is "the last bastion of free speech in the western world." That dramatic assertion has often been questioned, but today Macmillan's quote is proudly displayed outside the prestigious debating society's bar. The president of the Oxford Union this term, Arwa Elrayess, appears determined to live up to the claim. She has vowed to press ahead in allowing American political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker to address the union over livestream after they were banned from entering Britain. Elrayess told Middle East Eye on Monday morning that "we will not allow this event to be shut down", issuing a serious rebuke to the British government.  Now MEE understands the event is set to proceed, with Uygur and Piker addressing Oxford students over livestream this Saturday 6 June. On Monday evening, Elrayess launched a passionate attack on the British government's decision to bar their entry, saying: "The Oxford Union was founded on one principle: that ideas are challenged through debate, not silenced by decree. 'Ridiculous': Social media reacts as Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur denied entry to UK Read More » "We have never turned a speaker away because of their political beliefs nor have we sought a permission slip from the state. We will not start now." Piker and Uygur were set to visit Britain this week to speak at the union and at the SXSW London festival.  Piker visited the union last year. He wrote on Monday that he delivered a speech there "about the dangers of conflating judaism and zionism & how this foments antisemitism".   The Times reported that UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cancelled Uygur's electronic travel authorisation (ETA) after determining that his presence in Britain would not be "conducive to the public good".  Uygur posted on X that the British government said "that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic nonetheless. Don't know if facts will soon be banned in Britain. "I didn't get banned for criticizing the UK, but for criticizing Israel. They broke the irony record by saying it was because I said Israel might control other governments. I wonder if they're going to ban themselves."  'Free speech does not require a visa' Elrayess vowed that the union event "will not be cancelled". She added, "The Union will ensure this discussion takes place. Free speech does not require a visa." The Oxford Union has recently come under fire for inviting far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to speak at a debate on Islam. Elrayess, who is Palestinian, said she was committed to free speech partially because of her experience of seeing pro-Palestinian arguments being censored. Elrayess told MEE the union is in its essence a "free speech society", a member's club devoted to the principle of debate.  Oxford Union's Palestinian president on why she invited Tommy Robinson to debate Islam Read More » It was founded in 1823 after a secret meeting of students who wanted to rebel against the university's prevailing censorship. In 1933 the union passed the motion "This House would not in any circumstances fight for King and Country", prompting Sir Winston Churchill to condemn the union as "abject, squalid, shameless" and "nauseating". At a legendary 1964 debate, civil rights icon Malcolm X made the case for armed resistance in support of the motion "This House believes extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." OJ Simpson made global headlines when he addressed the union shortly after being acquitted of murder, and the British government banned the broadcast of an appearance by Sinn Fein politician Gerry Adams. In 2024 the society was widely condemned in the right-wing press after voting resoundingly to declare Israel an "apartheid state responsible for genocide".  The ban on Piker and Uygur has this week attracted criticism from prominent British politicians, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Polanski claimed the Labour government was "doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government". Meanwhile Corbyn denounced the move as "an attack on the freedom to criticise Israel, as well as the UK government’s own complicity in genocide". UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

London Bans Israel Critics Hassan Piker, Cenk Uyghur From Entering UK Via The Cradle Pro-Palestine streamer and commentator Hassan Piker was banned from visiting the UK by the British Home Office, ahead of his planned meeting with former Labour Party chief Jeremy Corbyn. Piker was also due to meet with Green Party leader Zack Polanski. "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," Piker said on X on 1 June.  Cenk Uyghur, Piker’s uncle and host of the “Young Turks” political commentary program, said earlier that he was also denied entry into the UK. The Young Turks show has been highly critical of Israel.  The British Home Office justified the move by declaring Uyger a "serious risk to the public order" following his claim that “Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress,” according to an X post made by the Young Turks founder. “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 criticizing Israel. Are we free anymore? This is oppression of Western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country!” Cenk said on social media.  “It's an honor to have made Israel's enemies list. I'm very proud to have fought against their genocide. 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,” Uyghur added.  Polanski condemned London’s decision to ban both commentators from visiting the UK.  The British government is saying they're banning me because I am "a serious risk to the public order" due to my criticism of Israel. They say that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic… — Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) May 31, 2026 “People often talk about dangerous road we'd go down under a Reform government – this is another clear warning we're down there already.” He also demanded an immediate explanation from UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.  Corbyn, who was expelled from the Labour Party years ago over criticism of Israel and allegations of "antisemitism," also strongly criticized the UK decision, saying on Monday that banning Uyghur and Piker was an “attack on the freedom to criticize Israel, as well as the UK government’s own complicity in genocide.” British authorities have cracked down heavily on pro-Palestine activism in recent years.  Last year, the UK proscribed activist group Palestine Action as a terror organization. Since then, thousands of people have been detained across the UK in connection with Palestine Action protests. Corbyn calls the move "authoritarian"...  Banning Cenk Uyghur and Hasan Piker from entering the UK is an absurd and cowardly decision from an increasingly authoritarian government. Let us call this what it is: an attack on the freedom to criticise Israel, as well as the UK government’s own complicity in genocide. https://t.co/c6jUrF3prA — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 1, 2026 The group has, for years, stood against Israeli occupation and UK military support for it. Earlier in 2026, several Palestine Action activists went on hunger strike over a $2.7 billion British military training contract to Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems’ British subsidiary. The hunger strikers reached a critical phase before ending the strike in January, following the government’s decision to cancel the contract. The UK High Court ruled the July 2025 terrorist proscription on Palestine Action unlawful in February 2026.  Tyler Durden Mon, 06/01/2026 - 23:25

'Ridiculous': Social media reacts as Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur denied entry to UK Submitted by Hannah. Smith on Mon, 06/01/2026 - 15:04 Home Office's decision to deny the pair's entry generated widespread backlash, with users accusing the government of cracking down on criticism of Israel Hasan Piker speaks onstage during Politicon 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California on 20 October 2018 (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Politicon/AFP) Off After American political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker confirmed on Monday that the UK government had blocked their entry into the country, social media was flooded with reactions debating restrictions on free speech in Britain and accusing the government of clamping down on the right to express criticism of the Israeli government. The pair were due to attend the SXSW festival in London and had been scheduled to speak at the Oxford Union, a prestigious debating society where Piker had previously delivered a speech criticising America’s support for Israel and arguing that the media played a key role in manufacturing consent for Israeli violations of international law. Middle East Eye reported that Piker was also due to meet the leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, and Jeremy Corbyn during his visit, which Piker confirmed in a YouTube video explaining that his Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) application had been denied.  Uygur, creator of The Young Turks, took to X to confirm that he had been denied entry into Britain, suggesting that his criticism of Israel was the motivation behind the decision.  “I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel,” he said, adding: “Are we free anymore?” Quoting his post, Piker suggested the same reasoning for the decision to block his entry to the country, saying it was “at the behest of israel”. The Home Office said in a statement released to the press that the ETAs had “been cancelled on the grounds that their presence in the UK may not be conducive to the public good”. It added that such decisions are “based solely on an assessment of the potential risk an individual may pose to UK society”. The Home Office did not specify which comments or actions made by the pair may have formed the basis for the decision. 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. https://t.co/UqQG1dogOI— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) May 31, 2026 Green Party leader Polanksi said it was a “grim decision” in a post on X. He added: “People often talk about [the] dangerous road we'd go down under a Reform government - this is another clear warning we're down there already.” Shabbos Kestenbaum, an American-Jewish political commentator, wrote that he was set to debate Uygur on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Monday. He criticised the move, saying: “This ban is completely unfounded and must be reversed. Free speech must always be protected and allowed. Shame on [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer.” I debated @cenkuygur several months ago. We were on opposite sides and, of course, disagree on many issues. But he's no extremist or threat to public order --- ridiculous to have to even type that --- and I hope the UK government reconsiders.— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) June 1, 2026 Dimi Reider, co-founder of the Israeli magazine +972 and vocal critic of the Israeli government, wrote: “The Starmer government is creating the mechanisms, precedent and, worst of all, legitimacy for the authoritarian Reform government they keep warning us about. They're paving the way.” Other users pointed out that Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has been accused by the UN of statements amounting to incitement to commit genocide, was not only permitted entry to the UK, but met personally with Starmer. Following the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel led by Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, Herzog said that all Palestinians in Gaza were “unequivocally” responsible for the attack, adding: “It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved.” Another user reacted on Instagram: “Imagine living in a time when speaking out against a genocide, war crimes, atrocity (and so much more) is frowned upon?” As Hasan Picker and Cenk Uygur are denied entry to the UK, it’s worth remembering that Isaac Herzog — accused of “direct and public incitement to commit genocide” by the UN Commission of Inquiry report — was welcomed by Keir Starmer on the steps of No10 in September.— Coll McCail (@MccailColl) June 1, 2026 Some social media users highlighted the UK government’s decision to block 11 far-right activists who were due to speak at a rally organised by anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley Lennon, who goes by the name Tommy Robinson, in May.  In a thread on Reddit, one person also mentioned the decision to block American rapper Kanye West from entering the UK on the basis of his previous antisemitic comments, including a song titled “Heil Hitler”. However, others were quick to point out that those speakers were blocked due to targeted, racist hate speech on the basis of religious or ethnic minority, something of which Piker and Uygur do not stand accused. Refuting antisemitism accusations Both commentators have refuted accusations of antisemitism from supporters of Israel, rejecting the conflation between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. In a statement provided to MEE, Uygur said: “No one should equate the actions of the Israeli government with Jewish people at large. For example, I don't blame the British people for this decision, I blame the British government. If that statement were declared to be racist against Brits, that would be patently absurd”. “Banning me from the UK for criticising the government of Israel is equally absurd. Israel often says they're our special ally because they help defend Western civilization, this is the exact opposite - tearing down our freedoms to protect their country and their crimes against humanity,” he added. Piker has also explicitly denounced antisemitism, saying during his previous appearance at the Oxford Union in 2025 that “Antisemitism is a canary in the coal mine of fascism”, and criticising the violent harm caused to Jewish people exacerbated by antisemitic propaganda throughout history. He said: “Valid criticisms against the state [of Israel] committing these atrocities and tying it back to Judaism is a cynical ploy to stop all manner of conversation”.  Piers Morgan, British media personality and host of Piers Morgan Uncensored, underscored this point in a series of posts on X, saying: “I only support banning people who advocate violence or who spew hateful bigotry against people based on their ethnicity/religion. Where has Cenk done that? His rage has been against the Israel govt (sic) and its policies. Free speech should protect that”. She is a disgusting bigot who spews constant vile hatred against Muslims for being Muslim. Where has Cenk Uygur ever said anything hateful and bigoted against Jews for being Jewish? https://t.co/4TBnhNL9La— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 1, 2026 The SXSW festival said in a statement: “Decisions on entry to the U.K. are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned. SXSW London’s role is to convene a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives. We remain focused on delivering a programme this week fostering open dialogue and exchange of ideas”. The Oxford Union president, Arwa Elrayess, criticised the British government's decision, telling Middle East Eye: “We will not allow this event to be shut down.” “To this day, we defend freedom of speech; the right for our invited speakers to express themselves, and to be challenged, irrespective of political viewpoint,” she added, and confirmed that a virtual option is being explored to enable Uygur and Piker to participate in the scheduled debate. Middle East Eye also reached out to the Home Office and Piker for comment. UK Politics Trending Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

Hasan Piker was set to meet Zack Polanski and Jeremy Corbyn in UK before being banned Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 06/01/2026 - 10:25 The American podcaster has been barred from entering Britain in a move condemned by Polanski and Corbyn Hasan Piker attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on 15 March 2026 (AFP) Off American political commentator Hasan Piker was scheduled to meet Green Party leader Zack Polanski and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in Britain before being denied entry by the Home Office, Middle East Eye has learnt. Sources with knowledge of the matter told MEE that Piker was set to appear on Polanski's podcast, Bold Politics. On Monday morning, Polanski condemned the decision to ban Piker and Cenk Uygur, the host and creator of The Young Turks, saying: "People often talk about dangerous road we'd go down under a Reform government - this is another clear warning we're down there already." He said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood "needs to explain this strange and worrying decision, and Andy Burnham needs to make his view clear." "A Labour government [is] doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli Government." Sources also said Corbyn, the parliamentary leader of the left-wing Your Party and one of Britain's most prominent politicians, was scheduled to appear alongside Piker in an interview before the podcaster had his travel authorisation revoked. Piker was banned alongside fellow Americal political commentator Uygur. Both said they were denied entry over their criticism of Israel. Corbyn said on Monday morning: "Banning Cenk Uyghur and Hasan Piker from entering the UK is an absurd and cowardly decision from an increasingly authoritarian government. ‘Sick of the purity politics’: Why Ana Kasparian is ready to work with the right on Israel Read More » "Let us call this what it is: an attack on the freedom to criticise Israel, as well as the UK government’s own complicity in genocide." The planned interview was understood to have been with British news outlet PoliticsJOE, although the organisation has not at the time of writing issued a public statement on the matter. MEE has contacted PoliticsJOE for comment. Piker and Uygur were also set to speak at the Oxford Union and the SXSW London festival.  Oxford Union President Arwa Elrayess told MEE: "These events had been publicly announced for months, making this last-minute decision all the more troubling." She added: "To this day, we defend freedom of speech; the right for our invited speakers to express themselves, and to be challenged, irrespective of political viewpoint." Elrayess said the union "is exploring all available options to ensure the discussion takes place, including hosting it online". Meanwhile, SXSW London said: "Decisions on entry to the U.K. are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned. SXSW London’s role is to convene a broad range of diverse voices and perspectives." Labour MP David Taylor called for Piker to be banned from entering the UK last week. On Monday, he said: "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." 'Banned for criticising Israel' The Times reported that UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cancelled Uygur's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) after determining that his presence in Britain would not be "conducive to the public good".   According to the newspaper, the Home Office's decision was based on several factors, including concerns that Uygur's rhetoric about Israel could contribute to antisemitism and community tensions. Uygur has repeatedly criticised Israel's military campaign in Gaza and described its actions as genocide.  Oxford Union's Palestinian president on why she invited Tommy Robinson to debate Islam Read More » He posted on X that the British government said "that my charge that Israel controls the American government through donations to 94% of Congress, while factual, is antisemitic nonetheless. Don't know if facts will soon be banned in Britain. "I didn't get banned for criticizing the UK, but for criticizing Israel. They broke the irony record by saying it was because I said Israel might control other governments. I wonder if they're going to ban themselves."  This comes amid an upsurge in foreign speakers being denied entry to Britain.  British political commentator Aaron Bastani said: "Britain at the height of its power and prestige was home to Karl Marx and Giuseppe Mazzini. It was a refuge for Alexander Herzen and Victor Hugo.  "Now, in 2026, it wont allow American YouTubers & streamers to enter because they criticised Israel." Last month, the Home Office barred 11 people from entering Britain who were scheduled to speak at a far-right ally organised by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. UK Politics News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0