Traffic around the Palace of Westminster in London came to a standstill for much of Saturday as emergency crews tried to reach a man who climbed the Big Ben tower holding a Palestinian flag.

A man with a Palestine flag after he climbed up Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster in London. Saturday, March 8, 2025.

A man who scaled the UK Parliament’s historic “Big Ben” clock tower with a Palestinian flag has been arrested, police said.

Item 1 of 5 Passersby look at a man with a Palestinian flag standing on the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, next to Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain March 8, 2025. REUTERS ...

A man holds a Palestinian flag after he climbed up Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster in London on March 8. James Manning/Associated Press ...