When it hosts antisemitic streamer Hasan Piker in January, University of Washington suggests attendees pay $10 per ticket

The University of Washington, which projects $956 million in federal-sponsored research next year and received $518 million in state appropriation for 2027, is charging $10 per ticket for a public lecture featuring streamer Hasan Piker scheduled for Jan. 21.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, Piker has called Orthodox Jews "inbred," Minimized the Holocaust, said America deserved the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, and frequently expressed support for U.S.-designated terror organizations.

"The whole thing stinks to high heaven-$10 or no $10," Randy Kessler, executive director of StandWithUs northwest, told JNS.

Ariel Novick, regional director for the Pacific northwest of the ADL, stated: "Inviting Hasan Piker to speak with students lends legitimacy to someone who has openly and repetitively praised terrorist organizations, and exposes students to views that endorse political violence and denigrate Jewish and Zionist people."

The event, sponsored by the Jackson School of International Studies and the Graduate School, will be held in person at Town Hall Seattle and online. Registration begins Dec. 9. Daniel Bessner, an associate professor of American foreign policy at the university, will moderate. The event listing describes Piker as "not your typical political commentator," Crediting him with "sharp analysis and an irreverent wit" And noting he has "built a massive daily audience on Twitch."

Regina Sassoon Friedland, director of the American Jewish Committee's Seattle regional office, told JNS the university "should carefully consider what message it sends by hosting and legitimizing Hasan Piker as a featured guest," At a "time when Jewish students are experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitic incidents."

Kessler said the university should "unequivocally condemn purveyors of hate like Hasan Piker," Noting he "has a well-documented history of using offensive language about Jews and Zionists, glorifying Hamas and excusing or minimizing violence against Israelis."

Victor Balta, assistant vice president for communications at the University of Washington, stated that "the Office of Public Lectures selects its speakers independently" And that "UW executive leadership does not provide input." He added that speakers receive "a nominal honorarium and travel reimbursement" Funded through office endowments, not state funds.

The university has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding antisemitism on campus, including a Department of Justice compliance review initiated in April.

Democratic state representative Roger Goodman, co-chair of the legislative Jewish caucus, told JNS the invitation "might be a misstep on behalf of the university," While acknowledging that "free speech is important and students need to be exposed to all sorts of views."