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 is “furious” after he displayed a Nazi symbol during a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney and was charged for the act.

Rebecca Yazbek, who co-own the exclusive Reine & La Rue in Collins St, Nomad Melbourne and Nomad Sydney, issued a statement on Wednesday saying her husband Al was “no longer involved in the management of the business”.

“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.

Asked by the Herald Sun if her husband would move to divest his ownership in the business and if the couple were still together in a personal capacity, Mrs Yazbeck only said: “We are in the process of restructuring the business and hope to be able to make an announcement on that in the next week.”

Mrs Yazbek’s comments come as the group continues to suffer from the fallout of her husband’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

Earlier this week 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.

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