October 24th 2024.
A prominent restaurateur recently admitted to displaying a swastika at a rally supporting Palestine, which led to charges under laws prohibiting the use of Nazi symbols. Today, Alan Yazbek appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court, where his lawyer entered a guilty plea on his behalf in preparation for sentencing.
Yazbek, who co-owns the Nomad Restaurant Group, was photographed with a sign bearing the Nazi symbol at a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney on October 6. The sign, which also featured the words "stop Nazi Israel," was designed with the colors of the Israeli flag and the swastika in place of the Star of David. The rally, which was held in the city center, took place a day before the anniversary of the deadly October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel.
At the protest, Yazbek was arrested and charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol without a reasonable excuse, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison or an $11,000 fine. He was also seen holding a flag with colors matching those of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist organization in Australia.
In response to the backlash from the public and hospitality industry, Yazbek's wife and business partner, Rebecca Yazbek, stated that her husband is no longer involved in managing the operations of Nomad. Their company, which operates the highly acclaimed Nomad restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the French-themed Reine & La Rue, has been in operation for over a decade and prides itself on values of inclusivity, integrity, respect, dedication, and excellence.
Rebecca Yazbek expressed her disappointment and heartbreak over her husband's actions, stating that she fully understands the frustration and disappointment felt by those affected. She also reassured the public that their company is committed to rebuilding trust and honoring their values through their actions.
Yazbek, who had previously released a statement apologizing for his actions and acknowledging the offensiveness of the sign to the Jewish community, clarified that he is not an anti-Semite. He also mentioned being traumatized by the ongoing violence in the Middle East and called for an end to it.
The protest attended by Yazbek saw a significant increase in attendance compared to past rallies, as the violence in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, escalated. Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 250 were abducted during Hamas' attack on Israel, followed by over 42,000 deaths in Gaza due to Israeli strikes, according to Palestinian officials. The situation has been devastating, and Yazbek extends an olive branch of peace and love to the wider Jewish community, particularly his friends, staff, and guests at Nomad.
Overall, the incident has caused harm and disappointment, but the company is determined to make amends and uphold their values of inclusivity and respect. They hope to regain the trust of their community and continue to offer exceptional dining experiences at their restaurants.
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