Small boat migrant found guilty of preparing knife attack on Israeli embassy in London

Abdullah Albadri, 34, was found guilty by a majority verdict at the Old Bailey in London on Friday of preparing a terror-related knife attack on the Israeli embassy. The jury deliberated for nearly 14 hours before reaching its decision. Albadri was charged with preparation of terrorist acts and possession of two bladed articles.

The attempted attack occurred on 28 April 2025, just 16 days after Albadri arrived in the UK by small boat from France on 12 April. It was his second illegal entry to the UK by small boat in four years; his first crossing was in August 2021.

Albadri was arrested while trying to scale the 8ft-high railings of the Israeli embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens. He was carrying two red and white-handled knives with 10cm (3.9in) blades. As armed diplomatic protection officers detained him, he asked: "Why are you stopping me from making crimes?"

On the morning of the attack, Albadri messaged his mother: "I chose the path of martyrdom." He had also searched online for the location of the Israeli embassy and information about "suicide among enemies." Officers found on him a copied-out verse titled "the benefit of martyrdom."

After his arrest, Albadri told officers: "I want to do something to stop the war." He said he wanted to stop the war in Gaza.

Albadri said he was from the stateless Bedoon tribe and was born in Kuwait. He was detained by five officers, including one in plain clothes with a handgun.