- Abdullah Albadri received a life sentence at the Old Bailey for preparing a terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy.
- The judge set a minimum term of twenty years, reduced to 18 years and 207 days for time spent on remand.
- Police stopped Albadri at the embassy fence; no one was injured in the incident.
Abdullah Albadri, 34, was jailed for life on 5 October 2026 for trying to attack the Israeli embassy in Kensington. Mrs Justice Lambert KC set a minimum term of 20 years, then reduced it to 18 years and 207 days to credit time served on remand.
The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey. The incident dates to April 28, 2025, and the court convicted him on May 1, 2026, of preparing terrorist acts and possessing bladed articles.
Police intervened within seconds. Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command stopped him as he tried to get over the diplomatic compound’s fence.
Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division, said officers’ fast response prevented injuries.
“Thanks to the swift actions of officers, no one was hurt, and today's verdicts reflect the seriousness of what was prevented.”
The court heard he came armed and disguised
Albadri carried two knives, each described as 4-inch long, when he went to the site. The fence stood eight-foot high, or 2.4-metre, according to accounts of evidence heard in court.
He wore sunglasses and a red-and-white keffiyeh, also described as a shemagh, to hide his identity. He climbed onto the fence before officers pulled him down. The attempt ended within seconds.
PC Libby Chessor described the struggle to remove him from the barrier as “challenging.” He held on “quite strongly,” she told the court.
Police recovered the two knives and a “martyrdom note” after his arrest. The evidence also included his words to officers at the scene. He asked, “I wanna make a crime inside there, why are you stopping me?” and “Why didn't you let me in?”
The prosecution argued that he had prepared the attack and intended to use violence for a political statement. David said the evidence showed he had armed himself, concealed his identity and tried to enter a diplomatic site carrying knives.
Prosecutors linked the plan to anger over Gaza
Prosecutors said Albadri meant to “exact revenge” over events in Gaza, including the killing of children. Police footage captured him describing his actions as a message and referring to the war.
“You know it's just a message, yeah,”
“They need to stop this f****** war on children.”
David said the case showed planning and preparation, and that the intended violence was meant to make a political statement. She added that the officers’ intervention meant no one was injured.
His asylum history now ends with a reported deportation
Albadri was born in Kuwait and had been described in court coverage as a failed asylum seeker. He entered the UK twice by small boat, first in August 2021 and again in April 2025.
He is expected to be deported to Kuwait after serving his sentence. The attack attempt came during his second arrival year.
The terrorism conviction carried the life sentence
The Metropolitan Police said the conviction for an offence under section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 carried the life term. The two bladed-article counts brought a separate sentence of one year and six months, to run concurrently.
That means the knife-possession term does not add time after the life sentence. The minimum term is the period before he can be considered for release; the judge’s 20-year figure was reduced to 18 years and 207 days after credit for remand time.
The Metropolitan Police statement said the sentence followed the conviction for preparing a terrorist act. The court’s sentencing order was delivered by Mrs Justice Lambert KC on 5 October 2026.
