UK Revokes Travel Authorizations for Pro-Palestinian Commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur

The UK government has revoked travel authorisations for pro-Palestinian figures Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur, preventing them from entering the country ahead of scheduled speaking engagements in London.

The pair had been due to participate in the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in London and speak at the Oxford Union this week.

In a statement to CNN, the Home Office confirmed that it had cancelled the men's Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA), which allow eligible foreign nationals to visit the UK without a visa for short stays.

The department said the decision was taken because their presence in the UK “may not be conducive to the public good”.

“Such decisions are based solely on an assessment of potential risk an individual may pose to UK society,” the Home Office said, adding that both individuals remain free to apply for a visa if they wish to travel to Britain.

Piker, a popular online streamer known for political commentary, said on social media that the British government had revoked his permission to enter the country.

He criticised the decision, arguing that free expression and due process were being undermined, Piker told CNN.

Uygur, founder of the online news and commentary programme The Young Turks, said he learned of the restriction while attempting to board a flight to London.

“I’ve been banned for criticizing Israel,” Uygur wrote on X (formerly Twitter), claiming the move amounted to suppression of political views.

The decision has drawn criticism from free speech advocates, who argue the action reflects growing restrictions on voices critical of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

It has also attracted political criticism.

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, described the bans as “grim” and said they were “another clear warning” about the direction of the country, The Guardian reported.

Piker has a large online audience across platforms including Twitch, X and Instagram, while Uygur is a prominent progressive political commentator in the United States and previously sought the Democratic Party's nomination in the 2024 US presidential election.