Man Climbing Big Ben with Palestinian Flag Ends Standoff After 16 Hours

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A man who climbed Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower on Saturday morning, holding a Palestinian flag, was safely brought down after a 16-hour standoff. The barefoot protestor, who had climbed several metres up the tower, made his way to a ledge and declared that he would come down "on his own terms," according to emergency crews.

The Metropolitan Police were called to the scene at 07:24 GMT after the man, whose protest was against "police repression and state violence," scaled the tower. He filmed his climb and posted a video on Instagram, warning negotiators that if they approached him, he would climb higher. The man’s protest and actions led to the closure of Westminster Bridge and the cancellation of Parliamentary tours.

At least nine emergency vehicles were stationed near the tower, and the man was spoken to by police and negotiators who attempted to de-escalate the situation throughout the day and night. As emergency responders, including fire brigade personnel, tried to speak with him, the man wrapped a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around the stonework of the tower.

The standoff drew crowds of onlookers who gathered behind police cordons. A small group of pro-Palestinian supporters, heard shouting "Free Palestine" and "You Are A Hero," were seen offering support from behind barriers set up by authorities.

Despite injuries sustained during his climb, the man eventually agreed to descend. Emergency crews used a cherry picker to safely bring him down shortly after Big Ben struck midnight.

The incident also disrupted the area around Parliament, with one exit of Westminster Tube station briefly closed, although no major disruption to transport occurred. A number of protestors also attempted to march near the Houses of Parliament, but their planned rally was blocked by police.

London Fire Brigade, along with ambulance teams and hazardous area response personnel, were at the scene, responding to the emergency. Despite the tense situation, authorities managed to bring the protest to a peaceful conclusion.

The police have not commented on any charges or further legal actions, and the parliamentary spokesperson reaffirmed their commitment to security, though they did not provide specifics regarding the measures taken during the incident.