Abdullah Albadri, 34, has been found guilty of preparing terrorist acts and possessing bladed articles following an attempt to breach the Israeli embassy in London. The incident, which occurred on April 28th of last year, involved Albadri scaling the embassy fence armed with two four-inch knives.

Motivated by Gaza Conflict

The court heard that Albadri’s actions were motivated by a desire for revenge related to the conflict in Gaza. He had previously sought asylum in both the UK and France, but his applications were denied.

Details of the Attempted Attack

CCTV footage showed Albadri approaching the embassy with his face partially concealed, making a gesture before attempting to climb the 8ft fence. Armed police officers swiftly responded and apprehended him before he could enter the embassy grounds. Officers described a ‘challenging’ struggle during the arrest, believing Albadri intended to breach security.

Albadri’s Background and Claims

Albadri arrived in the UK via small boats on two occasions – in 2021 and April 2025 – and claimed to have faced persecution in Kuwait for his human rights activism as a member of the stateless Arabian Bedoon tribe. He attempted to argue the knives were for ‘personal use’ due to his homelessness.

Statements and Evidence

Upon his arrest, Albadri admitted to possessing ‘weapons’ and expressed frustration at being stopped from ‘making crimes’. He voiced anger over the conflict and its impact on children, stating his actions were meant as a ‘message’. A ‘martyrdom note’ was also found in his possession. He later claimed his statements were sarcastic and the note was a letter to his mother.

Court Verdict and Sentencing

After nearly 14 hours of deliberation, jurors at the Old Bailey reached a guilty verdict. Albadri was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. His defense counsel argued he was in a state of ‘total despair’ following his asylum rejection and eviction from temporary housing, but the prosecution successfully argued his actions constituted preparation for a terrorist act.