Man Who Crossed the English Channel Twice by Small Boat Into the UK and Was Refused Asylum Became Furious and Planned Something Terrifying

A failed asylum seeker who tried to enter the Israeli embassy in London while carrying two knives has been sentenced to life in prison.

Abdullah Albadri, 34, who was born in Kuwait, was arrested after armed police stopped him outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, in April last year.

The Old Bailey heard that Albadri had gone to the embassy carrying two knives, each with a blade measuring about four inches. He was wearing sunglasses and had a keffiyeh wrapped around his head when he attempted to get into the embassy grounds.

According to evidence presented in court, Albadri jumped onto a fence surrounding the embassy as part of his attempt to gain access to the property. Armed police officers quickly responded and managed to tackle and arrest him before he could get any further.

Prosecutors said Albadri had intended to carry out a knife attack inside the embassy. The court was told that he wanted to take revenge over the deaths of children in Gaza.

His actions led to a major security response because the Israeli embassy is a heavily protected diplomatic building and officers had to act quickly to prevent the situation from becoming more dangerous.

On Monday, Mrs Justice Lambert KC sentenced Albadri to life imprisonment and initially set a minimum term of 20 years. The court heard that after the necessary legal adjustments were made, his minimum term was calculated as 18 years and 207 days, with the time he had already spent in custody on remand also taken into account.

As the judge announced the life sentence, Albadri showed little visible reaction. He appeared emotionless while standing in the dock and listening to the punishment being handed down.

The case also revealed details about how Albadri had previously entered Britain.

The court heard that he had travelled to the UK by small boat on two separate occasions. He first arrived after crossing the English Channel in August 2021. He later entered the country again by small boat in April 2025.

Albadri had applied for asylum in Britain, but his application was refused, making him a failed asylum seeker.

Despite having his asylum claim rejected, he later became involved in the incident at the Israeli embassy that resulted in his arrest, prosecution and eventual life sentence.

The court found that his actions were not simply an attempt to trespass on embassy property. Prosecutors said he had armed himself with knives and deliberately travelled to the embassy intending to carry out violence.

His attempt was stopped before he could enter the embassy grounds and carry out the planned attack, after armed officers intervened and detained him.

Albadri will now remain in prison for many years before he can even be considered for release. A life sentence also means that even after serving the minimum term, his release would not be automatic. He would have to satisfy the relevant authorities that he no longer posed a sufficient risk before he could be released.