Turkish origin U.S. political commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker have said they were denied entry to the U.K. with British authorities reportedly linking the decision to their public remarks on Israel.

The United Kingdom’s Home Office said Piker and Uygur were blocked from entering the country because their presence “may not be conducive to the public good.”

The ban on the left-wing commentators has shocked many across the political spectrum.

The Young Turks founder says the move was retaliation for criticism of Israel