‘Israeli swastika’: Sydney restaurateur’s words to police about Nazi symbol

A high-profile restaurateur who was charged with holding up a placard bearing a swastika during a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this month has pleaded guilty in court.

The high-profile restaurateur who pleaded guilty to displaying a Nazi symbol during a pro-Palestinian rally initially told police his placard featured an “Israeli swastika”, according to court documents.

Alan Yazbek, 56, appeared in court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to displaying a corflute 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.

Yazbek, the co-owner of the NOMAD Restaurant Group, was photographed displaying a sign with a swastika superimposed on the Israeli flag.

Alan Yazbek held up a sign with a swastika. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw.

In the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, Yazbek’s barrister Philip English entered a plea of guilty to one count of knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol without a reasonable excuse.

According to documents tendered to the court following Yazbek’s guilty plea, he was part of the protest that marched through the Sydney CBD that day.

At about 1.30pm, he was seen by officers near the Archibald Memorial Fountain at the northern end of Hyde Park, holding a large white corflute, which featured the words “Stop Nazi Israel”, above his head.

Officers activated their body-worn camera and approached him, telling them the swastika was illegal to display in public.

According to a set of agreed facts, Yazbek replied “what’s the offensive symbol?”

He then told the officers it was an “Israeli swastika” before he was ordered to stop displaying it.

Yazbek initially became argumentative, however he complied and put the sign away, according to the court documents.

Minutes later he was escorted out of the protest by organisers before he was placed under arrest.

Alan Yazbek leaves court after pleading guilty. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

In court on Thursday, Mr English handed up a folder containing what he described as “negative emails”, and noted his client’s case had attracted significant media attention.

Mr English told the court that Yazbek was ready to be sentenced on Thursday however the matter was adjourned until later in the year.

Yazbek will now appear before the court for sentencing on December 10.

He exited court surrounded by a large media scrum but did not answer questions.

Alan Yazbek. Picture: Facebook.

Alan Yazbek leaving court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

He and his wife own up-market Nomad restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Reine & La Rue, which employs about 250 staff.

The incident prompted a harsh 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.

Alan Yazbek left court surrounded by media. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

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.”