Protester Scales Big Ben with Palestinian Flag, Prompting 16-Hour Standoff

The man was safely removed by firefighters after hours of negotiations, causing major disruptions in central London.

A man climbed the Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, in London early Saturday morning, carrying a Palestinian flag and remaining there for over 16 hours.
Authorities closed nearby streets and Westminster Bridge, leading to significant traffic disruptions and drawing large crowds of onlookers.
Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medics, worked throughout the day to ensure the safety of the man, the public, and responders.
The protester, who climbed barefoot and sustained visible injuries, was eventually brought down using a fire department's aerial platform and taken into custody.
The motive for the protest remains unclear, and police have not disclosed how the man bypassed the tower's security measures.