Left wing commentators Hasan Piker and his uncle, Cenk Uygur, say they have been blocked from entering the United Kingdom because of their criticism of Israel.

The pair, both outspoken anti-Israel activists, had their travel authorizations revoked just days before scheduled appearances in Britain, including events connected to SXSW London, the University of Oxford, and media appearances.

Uygur claimed he learned of the decision while attempting to board a flight and immediately blamed the move on his views regarding Israel.

“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!” Uygur wrote on X.

Piker echoed the accusation, claiming Western governments are abandoning “liberal values” in support of what he described as a “genocidal fascist foreign government.”

Although Uygur claims he was banned for criticizing Israel, the decision was made by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, a Labour politician who is Muslim and has often described as sympathetic to pro-Palestinian causes.

That fact alone raises serious questions about Uygur’s narrative. If Britain was trying to silence pro-Palestinian voices on Israel’s behalf, it is difficult to explain why the ban was approved by an official who has frequently been criticized by pro-Israel advocates. Critics say the more likely explanation is the one given by British authorities themselves: concerns that Uygur’s rhetoric was not conducive to the public good.

In a statement, the UK Home Office said the men’s travel authorizations were revoked because their presence in Britain “may not be conducive to the public good.”

Both Piker and Uygur have faced accusations of antisemitism and have repeatedly drawn criticism for inflammatory rhetoric regarding Israel. The two have frequently described Israel as a “genocide state,” while critics have accused them of helping fuel anti-Israel hostility and antisemitism.

Reports indicate that concerns surrounding public safety, community tensions, and extremist rhetoric played a role in the decision.

Piker has also portrayed the move as an attack on free speech, arguing that he was barred from entering the UK simply for criticizing Israel.

British officials, however, maintain the decision was based on broader public interest considerations rather than political disagreement alone.