Sydney restaurateur Al Yazbek pleads guilty over Nazi symbol

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

A high-profile restaurateur has pleaded guilty to displaying a Nazi symbol during a pro-Palestinian rally.

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

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

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.

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

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

Mr 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.

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.”

Originally published as Sydney restaurateur Al Yazbek pleads guilty over Nazi symbol