A pair of Left-wing political commentators have been barred from entering Britain amid concerns over anti-Semitic rhetoric, prompting Green Party leader Zach Polanksi to attack Labour over the decision. US-based Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur were due to speak at London SXSW conference this week, but the Home Office cancelled their electronic travel authorisations on the grounds their presence ‘may not be conducive to the public good’. The Green Party's Mr Polanski, who has faced widespread criticism over anti-Semitism in his own party, claimed it showed ministers were ‘silencing criticism’ of the Israeli government. Mr Polanski said: ‘This is a really grim decision. ‘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. ‘A Labour government doing everything possible to silence criticism of the Israeli government.’ Left-wing firebrand Mr Uygur has faced a backlash over some of his comments, including reportedly saying on a livestream in 2019 that ‘America deserved 9/11’, which he later acknowledged was ‘inappropriate’. He has also repeated anti-Semitic tropes since the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, such as the claim that Israel controls America.

The decision to bar him was also based on exchanges with Piers Morgan on his YouTube channel, in which Mr Uygur dismissed evidence relating to British grooming gangs and described concerns about the issue as ‘Islamophobic’ Mr Uygur’s nephew Mr Piker said online last month he stood by comments that Hamas – which is banned in the UK as a terrorist group - was ‘1,000 times better’ than Israel and that he ‘would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time’. Both men deny their views are anti-Semitic.

Mr Uygur, who had also been due to speak at Oxford Union later this week, said on X: ‘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 criticising Israel. Are we free any more? ‘This is oppression of western citizens by our own governments on behalf of a different country.’

Replying to his post, Mr Piker said: ‘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.’ He added: 'This is straight-up fascism. ‘Being critical of Israel while combating anti-Semitism is not a good enough reason to bar someone entry into the country.' The Home Office’s decision came after Labour MP David Taylor called for Mr Piker to be blocked.

He said: ‘It’s a real relief that the Home Office has revoked Hasan Piker’s visa. ‘There is no reason we should open our doors to those who seek to spread hate and division, especially someone who’s supported a proscribed terror group. ‘SXSW London must now review its vetting policies to ensure this doesn’t happen again.’ Jewish community group CST had also urged organisers not to allow the UK to provide a ‘platform’ for Mr Piker. A SXSW London spokesman said: ‘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 and featuring more than 800 speakers, artists and screenings.’