The protester on top of Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben.

A barefoot protester was arrested after climbing the iconic Big Ben tower in central London while holding a Palestinian flag, bringing traffic to a halt and prompting a large-scale emergency response. The incident unfolded early on Saturday, when stunned onlookers near the Houses of Parliament watched as the man climbed the stone facade of Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben. He remained perched on a ledge for several hours, occasionally wrapping a Palestinian keffiyeh around parts of the structure and chanting "Free Palestine" while supporters cheered from behind police barriers. The protester, who filmed the entire ordeal and shared live updates online, warned authorities against approaching him. "If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher," he said in one video. A visible bloodstain on the tower’s surface suggested that he had sustained injuries while climbing barefoot. Throughout the day, London authorities worked to bring the situation under control. Traffic around the Palace of Westminster was disrupted, with Westminster Bridge and nearby streets shut down. Police blocked pedestrian access to Parliament Square, and officials canceled tours of the Houses of Parliament due to the security concern. Emergency crews used a fire brigade ladder platform to reach the man multiple times, engaging him in prolonged negotiations. Eventually, just after midnight, he stepped off the building and into a cherry picker before being taken to a waiting ambulance. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed his arrest, stating: "This has been a protracted incident due to the specifics of where the man was located and the need to ensure the safety of our officers, the individual, and the wider public." This dramatic demonstration is the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place across the UK in recent months, drawing widespread attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. ICA/Expat Media
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