A man who tried to break into the Israeli embassy in London with two knives has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years. Abdullah Albadri, 34, of Kuwait, was detained by armed police at the Kensington embassy on 28 April 2025 after he attempted to force his way inside.
He had arrived in the UK on a small boat just 16 days before the attempt, a detail that will feature heavily in the wider immigration and security debate about how small-boat arrivals are monitored once they reach the mainland.
Albadri was convicted by a majority verdict of preparation of terrorist acts and possession of two bladed articles. The sentence handed down at the Old Bailey follows a trial that examined a lone-wolf plot targeting a diplomatic mission in central London.
A plot in the heart of London
The attack attempt took place at the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, an address that has long been a focus for protest and for security briefings in the capital. Armed police officers intercepted Albadri as he attempted to enter the building carrying two knives, preventing anyone from reaching the diplomatic staff inside.
The case has been treated throughout as a terrorism matter rather than a common law assault, and the conviction on the preparation of terrorist acts charge reflects the intent prosecutors argued rather than injuries inflicted. No injuries were reported at the scene.
Why it matters
The sentence is significant for the security picture around diplomatic sites in London and for the question of asylum and border management. The gap between arrival and offence was 16 days, which is the kind of window that critics of the current system argue is not being used effectively to identify risk before an attack is attempted.
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What happens next
Albadri will serve a minimum of 20 years. The conviction and sentence remain subject to the normal appeals process. The case is expected to continue to be cited in political debate over small-boat arrivals and the security of foreign missions in the UK.
This breaking news story is being updated as more details become available.
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