Wife hits out at Nomad boss as he's stood down over Nazi symbol scandal

The wife of Nomad boss Alan Yazbek has revealed he is no longer running the restaurant group, saying she was “furious” after he was charged with displaying a Nazi symbol at a pro-Palestine rally.

The wife of the disgraced boss of the Nomad restaurant group has turned on her husband saying she was “furious” after he displayed a Nazi symbol during a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney and was charged for the act.

Rebecca Yazbek, who co-owned Nomad Sydney, Nomad Melbourne and Reine & La Rue issued a statement on Wednesday saying her husband was no longer running the group and hit out at him for bringing the restaurant organisation into disrepute.

“As both his wife and business partner, I was furious with his actions and heartbroken by the harm they caused. I fully understand the disappointment and frustration felt by those affected, and I am committed to doing everything possible to restore your trust,” she wrote.

“Two weeks ago, our co-director, Al Yazbek, behaved in a way that offended a lot of people.

“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.

It’s understood the move was made as the group continues to suffer from the fallout of Mr Yazbek’s action with top clients severing ties with the restaurant group.

Alan Yazbek at the protest in Hyde Park, Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw

Rebecca Yazbek, who co-owned Nomad Sydney, Nomad Melbourne and Reine & La Rue issued a statement on Wednesday. Picture: John Appleyard

On Tuesday Melbourne mayoral hopeful Erin Deering said she didn’t “stop and think” about the possibility her birthday celebration at a restaurant when it was revealed she had dined there for her 40th.

On Sunday, Ms Deering posted a series of pictures of her birthday celebrations on Instagram, including one at Reine & La Rue in Melbourne CBD, owned by disgraced restaurateur Alan Yazbek.

Hours later, she deleted the image at Mr Yazbek’s restaurant.

The fallout of Mr Yazbek’s actions continue. Picture: John Appleyard

Melbourne mayoral hopeful Erin Deering posted a series of pictures of her birthday celebrations on Instagram, including one at Reine & La Rue. Picture: Instagram

“In no way do I support the actions of the restaurant’s owner or the use of antisemitic slogans or placards and apologise for any offence that I have caused,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Melbourne has a long and proud multicultural history and antisemitic or anti-Islamic conduct has no place in our city.”

In early October images emerged of Mr Yazbek at a Sydney pro-Palestine protest holding a sign that read “Stop Nazi Israel”, with the Star of David in the centre of the Israeli flag replaced with a swastika.

He will next face court on Thursday.

Despite Ms Yazbek saying he is no longer running the day to day operations it’s not yet clear if he will divest his co-ownership.