Jews ‘a death cult’: more slurs engulf Sydney restaurant scene

The owner of upmarket Bistro St Jacques in Sydney’s inner-city Redfern has horrified customers by posting an image of an Israeli soldier as a blood-dripping pig, describing Jews as a ‘death cult’.

Bistro St Jacques owner Nick Stone.

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The owner of upmarket Bistro St Jacques restaurant in Redfern in inner Sydney has horrified Jewish customers by posting on social media a picture of an Israel soldier in the form of a pig, alongside a comment describing Jews as a “death cult”.

Proprietor Nick Stone posted the images on October 7 on his Instagram page eatingstacksofsnacks, the anniversary of the Hamas slaughter in Israel.

The posts come as tension over Israeli military action in Gaza and Lebanon spills into Sydney’s inner-city eateries, with owner of swanky Surry Hills restaurant Nomad, Al Yazbek, charged over displaying a Nazi flag at a pro-Palestine protest and Hamas terrorist symbols daubed on the windows of Avner’s bakery, run by Jewish chef Ed Halmagyi.

One picture posted by Mr Stone shows a pig, dripping with blood, dressed in the uniform of the Israeli Defence Forces next to a Star of David. The caption reads: “In memory of today October 7 the day we all re learned about Jews moving to Isreal (sic) and the absolute death cult they have shown us all they are.”

The message ends: “Glory to the resistance.”

Nick Stone.

An Image posted to the Instagram account eatingstacksofsnacks, which is the account belonging to restaurateur Nick Stone.

Another post, addressed to the Australian Jewish Association and showing a distressed child in Gaza, reads: “Here’s to your October 7th … May your children endure the same hardship.”

Another post provides a booking link to “my little restaurant bistro st Jacques”.

The website of Bistro St Jacques describes it as a “neighbourhood French Bistro in the heart of Redfern” and promises its “seasonal produce, classic flavour combinations and warm hospitality bring our locals back time and again.”

Mr Stone is described as “a foodie from a young age” who opened venues Bar Sopra and Cafe La Bomba in Potts Point before moving to Redfern and taking over Bistro St Jacques.

Mr Stone hung up when The Australian called to inquire about the posts. In answer to a series of written questions, including whether he accepted the post was anti-Semitic and whether Jewish people were welcome at his restaurant, Mr Stone responded: “I have no comment to make on what was a personal Instagram post.

“My comment there was about the actions of the IDF – actions which have been condemned by many reputable international bodies. It was not about Jewish people who are welcome in my restaurant as are people of all other faiths and no faith.”

Bistro St Jacques in Redfern.

Mr Stone removed the post, and the booking link to his restaurant, immediately after being contacted by The Australian.

Australian Jewish Association chief Robert Gregory told The Australian that some of the imagery and words shared by Mr Stone were “straight Nazi-style hate”.

“There is nothing to be proud about October 7, the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust which involved rape of women and murder of children.

“Such ugly anti-Semitism has no place in Australia and certainly not in Redfern, which is seen as a tolerant neighbourhood. Jews and anybody who is against racism will likely want to avoid this restaurant.”