Kuwaiti Man Who Tried to Storm Israeli Embassy with Knives Sentenced to Life in Prison

A man who attempted to force his way into the Israeli embassy in London armed with two knives has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years before he can be considered for parole.

Abdullah Albadri, 34, was handed the sentence at the Old Bailey on Monday by Mrs Justice Lambert KC, following his earlier conviction for preparing terrorist acts and possessing two bladed articles. The jury reached a majority verdict on the charges after hearing detailed evidence about the events of 28 April 2025.

The court heard that Albadri had travelled to the United Kingdom on a small boat just 16 days before the attack attempt. He was intercepted by armed police as he tried to scale a fence outside the embassy in the Kensington area of west London.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Albadri was wearing a red and white traditional Arabic scarf wrapped around his head, along with sunglasses, as he made his way across London toward the diplomatic compound. Upon arriving at the embassy, he reportedly saluted in the direction of two diplomatic protection officers stationed nearby before attempting to climb the perimeter fence.

Officers quickly intervened, grabbing him and tackling him to the ground before he could gain entry to the building. A subsequent search revealed that he was carrying two blades, each approximately 10 centimetres in length, along with a handwritten copy of a verse entitled "the benefit of martyrdom."

The prosecution told the court that Albadri's motivation for the planned attack stemmed from his reaction to the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. When questioned by police at the scene, he made remarks indicating his intent to commit violence inside the embassy. According to testimony, he told officers: "I want to make a crime inside there. Why are you stopping me? Why are you stopping me from making crimes?"

In a later interview at a police station, Albadri stated that he had wanted "to do something to stop the war," referencing the conflict in Gaza as the driving force behind his actions.

The court also heard details of Albadri's immigration history, which revealed a complex pattern of movement between the UK and France. He had first arrived in Britain on a small boat in August 2021 and subsequently applied for asylum. However, he returned to France before authorities had reached a decision on his application.

He crossed the English Channel again in April 2025, the same month as the attempted attack. Following his arrival, he was placed in a hotel in Basingstoke for three days. However, he was then informed that he was not eligible for accommodation because of his outstanding asylum application, leaving him without a place to stay.

The court previously heard that Albadri had been sleeping rough in the days leading up to the embassy incident. This period of homelessness came after he was told he could not receive housing support while his asylum claim remained unresolved.

The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of the UK's asylum processing system, particularly regarding individuals who arrive via small boats and subsequently leave the country before their claims are determined. It also highlights the challenges faced by authorities in monitoring individuals who may pose security risks while their immigration status remains uncertain.

The Israeli embassy in London, located in the Kensington area, has long been a site of protest and heightened security concern. Diplomatic protection officers are routinely deployed to guard the compound, and the incident has underscored the ongoing threat posed by lone individuals motivated by geopolitical events.

Albadri's sentencing brings to a close a case that has spanned more than a year since the attempted attack. The life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years means he will not be eligible for parole until at least 2046, though the Parole Board will ultimately determine whether he remains a risk to the public at that time.

The conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder of the heightened security environment surrounding diplomatic missions in the UK capital, as well as the complex intersection of immigration policy, mental health, and counter-terrorism that authorities must navigate in such cases.

The Metropolitan Police, which led the investigation, has not issued additional comment beyond confirming the sentence. The case is expected to inform ongoing discussions about how the UK manages asylum seekers who arrive via irregular routes and the support available to those awaiting decisions on their claims.