A restaurateur accused of carrying a sign with the Nazi swastika superimposed on an Israeli flag is facing massive backlash against his businesses.
Alan Yazbek, owner of restaurants Nomad and Reine & La Rue, was charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public after officers allegedly caught him carrying the sign at a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney on Sunday.
Yazbek was one of around 10,000 protesters who took to the streets of the CBD a day before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks last year, in which the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas attacked communities bordering Israel.
Next to the large swastika, the sign Yazbek is accused of carrying had the words “Stop Nazi Israel.”
Images have since emerged of him also holding a green and gold flag in Hezbollah colors and a Ned Kelly-like figure.
In response to the hateful images and texts, several customers have vowed to never return to Yazbek’s restaurants.
At least five businesses in Melbourne have withdrawn bookings for events at Reine & La Rue, while others are considering venue changes, the Herald of the sun reported.
The charges have also jeopardized a partnership between Yazbek, who runs the restaurant chains with his wife Rebecca, and French champagne brand GH Mumm at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.
Alan Yazbek was charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public after officers allegedly caught him carrying a sign with a swastika at a protest in Sydney on Sunday.
Many customers have vowed to stop supporting Yazbek’s businesses after news of his arrest broke.
Some customers took to Nomad’s social pages to express their frustrations.
‘We just canceled our reservation. Anymore. Shalom,’ said one.
“Loved this restaurant to this day…won’t be back…rooster served with a hint of hate,” wrote another.
‘Do all your dishes come with a touch of anti-Semitism? Asking for a friend,’ said another.
‘The owner is a raging anti-Semite. I’ll eat at a Jewish restaurant, thank you!’ another wrote.
Staff at the luxury restaurants, which are often booked up to 18 months in advance, were called to a meeting at around 11am on Wednesday and given training on how to respond to questions about Yazbek.
Officers who spotted Yazbek’s alleged sign on Sunday arrested him and took him to Surry Hills Police Station.
He was charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public and was granted bail.
‘Many of us have family in the region. Every loss of life is a tragedy. We are in mourning,” Yazbek told Daily Telegraph.
As part of his bail conditions, Yazbek is prohibited from being within 2 kilometers of City Hall, where he was arrested, unless he is visiting his restaurant or offices for work purposes.
The demonstration was largely peaceful, apart from the arrests of Yazbek and Jewish Osher Feldman, who was detained for allegedly disturbing public order in a separate incident.
Images have since emerged of Yazbek also holding a green and gold flag in Hezbollah colors with a Ned Kelly-like figure (pictured).
Yazbek will appear at Downing Center Local Court on October 24.
He faces up to 12 months behind bars or $11,000 if convicted.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Yazbek for further comment.
