Pro-Gaza stunt at Big Ben: Man climbs London landmark wearing keffiyeh, shouts anti-Israel slogans

After a 16-hour standoff on Saturday, a man was arrested after entering the Parliamentary estate in Westminster, London, and scaling the Elizabeth Tower which houses the iconic Big Ben clock.

Police arrived at the scene at 7.24 GMT after the man was reported climbing the tower barefoot, waving a Palestinian flag and a traditional Arab keffiyeh headdress, which he wrapped around the stonework. 

Shouting anti-Israel slogans, the man declared he would only come down from the tower on his “own terms,” after negotiators were raised up level to his position in a cherry-picker. Westminster bridge was closed and tours of Parliament were cancelled.

After bringing in the fire brigade and specialist officers, Westminster Police explained on their X account, “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.”

“It’s an important national building, of course we want to see it protected, but I think the police have done their job,” Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden told Trevor Philipps on Sky News on Sunday morning. 

The incident sparked renewed discussions about the security of the Parliamentary estate, after “two MPs have been killed, one has been fortunate to escape with his life,” McFadden told viewers, reflecting on his years in office.

In videos posted to social media, the man appeared to have climbed over the fence around the Houses of Parliament, unnoticed by security guards. 

“Every day in Parliament I see dozens of armed police officers patrolling Portcullis House and the Parliamentary estate. Where were they today?” Conservative Parliament member Ben Obese-Jecty posted on X on Saturday.

“On Monday there needs to be a full explanation to MPs and staff as to how this protestor was able to evade security so easily,” he added.

Earlier last week, the historic Westminster Hall, which housed the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state, hosted its very first Ramadan iftar event. Attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the fast-breaking evening included a musical rendition of ‘Allahu Akbar.’

In a separate publicity stunt, an illegal immigrant to the UK who boarded a packed dinghy over the English Channel, also wore a keffiyah and filmed his journey after fleeing war-torn Gaza.

The Hamas-supporting influencer, whose TikTok name is Abu Wadei, has previously vowed to “die for the sake of Allah,” GB News reported Sunday.

The migrant was picked up on Thursday by the UK border force, but it was still unclear by Sunday whether he had been arrested.

“We cannot allow those who pose a danger to our society [to] be welcomed into the country with impunity,” said Obese-Jecty.