A man has been apprehended after scaling the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower in the UK while displaying a Palestinian flag. The climber, dressed entirely in black and barefoot, clung to the tower for several hours as emergency services attempted to communicate with him before ultimately arresting him. This dramatic incident prompted a gathering of onlookers in Parliament Square, while Westminster Bridge was closed to traffic.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were alerted to the situation at approximately 7:30 am and later stated that the roads surrounding the area had since been reopened following the resolution of the incident.
In a related context, pro-Palestinian demonstrators targeted one of Donald Trump’s golf courses located on the west coast of Scotland, claiming their actions were a direct response to his controversial plans for the Gaza Strip. Messages such as “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” were painted on the lawn of Trump’s Turnberry golf resort, alongside damage inflicted on the renowned course, as reported by the activist group Palestine Action, which took responsibility for the vandalism. They framed their actions as a protest against the US government’s alleged intentions to usurp the Gaza Strip and subject its inhabitants to ethnic cleansing.
The activist group Palestine Action has made it their mission to disrupt operations of companies providing arms to the Israeli government. Meanwhile, last month, Trump reiterated his view of Gaza as an enormous opportunity for redevelopment, indicating a desire for US involvement in the region’s future, including the potential deployment of American troops.
As investigations regarding the damage to Turnberry continue, Police Scotland acknowledged receiving reports about the incident that occurred early on Saturday morning. Turnberry is one of Trump’s prominent golf properties in Scotland, with another notable location being the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen.