Protester scales Big Ben to raise Palestinian flag, disrupting traffic in London PHOTO

In a dramatic protest, a barefoot man hoisted a Palestinian flag as he scaled the iconic facade of Big Ben, the clock tower standing proudly over the Palace of Westminster in London.

The man, who has been perched precariously on the tower’s ledge for more than four hours, is now the centre of a tense standoff with authorities.

Traffic on the northern side of Westminster Bridge has been disrupted, with a fire hoist positioned nearby in a desperate attempt to bring the man down from his more than ten-meter-high perch,  Caliber.Az reports citing British media.

Meanwhile, police and emergency services are engaged in talks, trying to negotiate his safe descent. Social media footage posted by the activist himself revealed the severe injuries he sustained on his legs while climbing the limestone tower.

Scotland Yard issued a statement at 7:24 a.m. on March 8, confirming the alarming situation: “Police were informed that a man was climbing the Elizabeth Tower. Officers are on-site, working alongside the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Ambulance Service to ensure the incident doesn’t end in tragedy.”

As the protest continues to unfold, the eyes of London are fixed on Big Ben, a symbol of both British democracy and, now, a deeply personal act of defiance.

By Tamilla Hasanova