A high-profile restaurateur has pleaded guilty to displaying a Nazi symbol to protest Israel’s actions during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Alan Yazbek was charged with displaying a placard bearing a swastika at a protest in Sydney on October 6.
The protest was the subject of a high-visibility police operation amid heightened tensions one day before the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel.
Police had alleged that Mr Yazbek, the co-owner of the NOMAD Restaurant Group, displayed a sign with a swastika superimposed on the Israeli flag with the words ‘Stop Nazi Israel’.
Alan Yazbek held up a sign with a swastika. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw.
Alan Yazbek. Picture: Facebook.
He was charged with one count of knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol without a reasonable excuse.
In Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, Mr Yazbek’s barrister Phillip English entered a plea of guilty.
He anticipated a sentence later in the day.
Under the new law introduced in NSW in 2022, the display of swastika is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $11,000.
He and his wife own up-market Nomad restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Reine & La Rue.
The incident prompted a backlash against the restaurant group and earlier this month he issued a public statement apologising, saying he was not an anti-Semite.
‘I apologise unequivocally for my actions at the demonstration on Sunday where I carried a sign that is deeply offensive to the Jewish community,’ Mr Yazbek said in a statement.
Nomad restaurant in Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui.
His ‘furious’ wife and business partner Rebecca released a statement on Wednesday announcing Mr Yazbek was ‘no longer involved in the management of the business.’
‘Two weeks ago, our co-director, Al Yazbek, behaved in a way that offended a lot of people,’ the statement said.
‘We deeply regret the impact his actions have had on the community, and for that, we sincerely apologise.
‘As a result, he is no longer involved in the management of the business.’
