https://arab.news/nffxv
- Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker were refused entry by the Home Office, which deemed their presence “not conducive to the public good”
- While Oxford Union has made arrangements for the pair to participate remotely, SXSW confirmed they would not feature in its program
LONDON: Two left-wing American political commentators barred from entering the UK over their alleged criticism of Israel will address the Oxford Union via livestream after being blocked from traveling to Britain.
Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker were refused entry by the Home Office, which deemed their presence “not conducive to the public good” — through the UK government did not comment on the specific reasons for the ban.
They had been due to appear at the Oxford Union on Saturday and at SXSW London, the annual film, media and music festival.
While Oxford Union has made arrangements for them to participate remotely, SXSW confirmed that they would not feature in its program.
Oxford Union President Arwa Elrayess said earlier this week that the society was “deeply concerned” by the revocation of both speakers’ electronic travel authorizations.
“The Oxford Union was founded on one principle; that ideas are challenged through debate, not silenced by decree. 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,” she said.
The Times reported that UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood personally canceled Uygur’s Electronic Travel Authorization, citing concerns that his rhetoric on Israel could contribute to antisemitism and community tensions.
Both commentators are prominent left-wing voices in the US with large followings, particularly among young people, and have been outspoken critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
Piker has also faced scrutiny over past remarks, including a since-retracted 2019 comment in which he said that “America deserved 9/11,” for which he later apologized.
A SXSW London spokesperson said that the festival remained “focused on delivering a program fostering open dialogue and exchange of ideas” featuring more than 800 speakers, artists and screenings.
