Failed asylum seeker jailed for life over knife attack attempt at Israeli embassy in London

A failed asylum seeker who attempted to attack the Israeli embassy in London with knives has been jailed for life. Abdullah Albadri, 34, from Kuwait, was arrested on 28 April 2025 while trying to climb over a security fence at the embassy in Kensington. Police found two 10cm-long blades and a handwritten note referencing "the benefit of martyrdom" during his search. Albadri had arrived in the UK on a small boat 16 days prior, following an illegal entry four years ago. His initial arrival was in August 2021, when he applied for asylum but left for France before a decision was made. He returned to the UK via the Channel in April 2025 and stayed in a hotel in Basingstoke for three days before being denied accommodation due to his pending asylum application. On the day of the attempted attack, Albadri walked from north London to the embassy in west London, wearing a red and white traditional Arabic scarf and sunglasses. At around 18:00, he saluted in the direction of two nearby diplomatic protection officers before attempting to scale the security fence. Armed officers intervened, dragging him down from the railings and detaining him. During his trial at the Old Bailey, Albadri was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts and possession of two bladed articles. The prosecution argued that he intended to carry out an attack that would result in his own death, citing his statement to police: "I want to make a crime inside there. Why are you stopping me? Why are you stopping me from making crimes?" During a later police interview, he said he wanted "to do something to stop the war." Defense counsel argued that Albadri's plan could never have succeeded and that his actions were "absurd, performative," meant to attract attention. Albadri had spent the morning seeking help for housing and told officers "I wish you'd use that on me," responding affirmatively when asked if he referred to a rifle. On Monday, Mrs Justice Lambert KC sentenced Albadri to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years. Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London praised the officers for preventing the attack, noting that no one was seriously injured. She stated the sentence reflected the danger Albadri posed and his lack of remorse. Albadri had searched online for the Israeli embassy's location shortly after arriving in the UK and conducted several Arabic-related searches linked to suicide attacks in the days leading up to his arrest. A note found on him indicated his intention to die. Albadri claimed to be part of a stateless Arabian Bedouin tribe on the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border and described his father, a former police officer, who funded his education until age 18. He later became a human-rights activist.