Kuwaiti Man Jailed for Life Over Israeli Embassy Terror Plot in London

A Kuwaiti national who tried to carry out a terrorist attack at the Israeli Embassy in London has been sentenced to life in prison.

Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 34, must serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible for release. A jury at London’s Old Bailey convicted him in May of preparing an act of terrorism and possessing two knives.

Albadri attempted to enter the embassy in Kensington on April 28, 2025. Wearing a scarf across his face and sunglasses, he approached the compound and tried to climb over its security fence.

Armed diplomatic protection officers guarding the embassy intervened within seconds and pulled him away from the fence. Police found two knives in his pockets.

Officers also discovered what authorities described as a “martyrdom note.” In it, Albadri indicated that he intended to die during the attack.

Prosecutors said Albadri wanted to attack the embassy in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Evidence presented during his trial showed that he had researched the embassy’s location before the attempted attack.

Investigators later examined his phone and found that he had searched Arabic terms relating to suicide and martyrdom during the five days before the incident. CCTV footage also showed him walking for around an hour from Kilburn in northwest London to the embassy.

Albadri had entered Britain from France aboard a small boat on April 12, just 16 days before the attempted attack. Police said his earlier internet activity had largely focused on efforts to obtain asylum in Britain.

During his arrest, body-camera footage recorded Albadri telling officers that he had wanted to commit a crime inside the embassy and questioning why they had stopped him from entering.

Counter Terrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan credited the officers guarding the embassy with preventing the attack and said their rapid intervention ensured that no one was seriously injured.