Protester climbs Big Ben with Palestinian flag causing Westminster Bridge closure

14 hrs ago

Diane Duenez Weekend Managing Editor

By Diane Duenez (Weekend Managing Editor)

A protester climbed London’s Big Ben with a Palestinian flag on Saturday. The move prompted the closure of Westminster Bridge and the cancellation of tours of the Houses of Parliament.
Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the protest, as well as the vandalization of a Scottish golf course owned by President Donald Trump, citing opposition to American plans regarding Gaza.
London has experienced large pro-Palestinian demonstrations following Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

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Westminster Bridge was closed for several hours Saturday, March 8, after a protester climbed the Big Ben tower holding a Palestinian flag. Metropolitan Police said several first responders were deployed to get the man down safely.

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BBC reported the man said he was protesting “police repression and state violence.” Negotiators used a fire brigade ladder platform multiple times to speak to the man and talk him down. A small group of supporters shouted “Free Palestine” from behind a police cordon nearby.

Officials said tours of the Houses of Parliament were canceled due to the incident.

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Palestine Action, a UK-based group of activists, claimed responsibility for the protest, as well as the vandalization of a golf course owned by President Donald Trump in Scotland. The organization said the actions were “in response to the American administration’s plans and threats to destroy, ethnically cleanse, and ‘take over’ the Palestinian Gaza Strip.”

London has seen large pro-Palestinian demonstrations in response to the Israeli military operation in Gaza, which followed Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023. That attack killed about 1,200 people, with hundreds more taken to Gaza as hostages.

Gaza’s health authority, run by Hamas, said more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in the area amid an Israeli response that included waves of airstrikes and a ground invasion.

The Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect in January calls for the remaining hostages to be freed in a second phase, during which final plans would be negotiated for an end to the war. The first phase of the ceasefire ended March 1. On March 2, Israel imposed a total blockade on all goods entering the enclave, demanding that Hamas free the remaining hostages.

Reuters reported Israel wants to prolong the ceasefire, securing the release of hostages without reaching a final agreement with Hamas on ending the war. Hamas wants to move to the second stage of the ceasefire, where the sides would hash out an end to the fighting.