London police rushed to the Palace of Westminster after spotting a man climbing the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben. The barefoot climber stood on a ledge, several meters high, holding a Palestinian flag.
Authorities received the call at 7:24 AM and quickly responded. A fire engine raised a cherry picker to his level. Meanwhile, three individuals on the crane engaged with the man, trying to de-escalate the situation.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the response. “At 7:24 AM on Saturday, March 8, officers were alerted to a man climbing Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament. Officers are on-site, working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. The London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are assisting them.”
To manage the situation, police closed Bridge Street, which connects to Westminster Bridge. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) deployed teams from Lambeth, Chelsea, Soho, and Islington fire stations. At least nine emergency vehicles lined the street as onlookers gathered behind a police barrier.
Meanwhile, the Palestine Action group claimed responsibility for vandalizing Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland. Activists spray-painted “Gaza is not for sale” on the property. Sharing an image on X, the group wrote, “Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his own property, he should know his own property is within reach.”
This protest follows Trump’s recent remarks, suggesting the U.S. should take over Gaza and manage it.
