Hasan Piker's University of Washington speaking event canceled

Aug 11, 2026

The University of Washington scrapped a planned talk by streamer Hasan Piker, and critics say it's censorship over his criticism of Israel, not a paperwork problem.

  • The public university called off the event, blaming a flawed planning "process" but never explaining what actually went wrong.
  • Critics argue the real reason is Piker's criticism of Israel, pointing out that "process problems" only seem to hit speakers whose views organizers dislike.
  • The decision reportedly ran through Miriam Elman of the pro-Israel Academic Engagement Network, who also urged the school to find and hold accountable the staff who invited him.
  • As a state school, the university is bound by the First Amendment, making the cancellation legally shakier than at private Ivy League schools.
  • The move is tied to a broader pattern since October 7th — ousted Ivy League presidents, campus speech crackdowns, and efforts to brand criticism of Israel as hate speech.

Outlook: Expect more fights over campus speech and Israel, with pressure now aimed at the faculty and staff who arranged the invitation.

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