A high-profile restaurateur could face a hefty fine after admitting to displaying a sign bearing a swastika at a pro-Palestine rally.
Alan Yazbek appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public.
The co-owner of the Nomad Restaurant Group was pictured holding a sign bearing the symbol during a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney on October 6.
The sign featured the words "stop Nazi Israel" and bore the colours of the Israeli flag with a swastika in place of the Star of David.
Yazbek told officers the image was an "Israeli swastika" when approached by police during the protest in Sydney's Hyde Park, according to court documents.
The 56-year-old was among thousands of people who attended the city-centre rally, which was held a day before the anniversary of Hamas' deadly October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.
Accused of being argumentative initially, Yazbek complied and was arrested and charged with knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol in public without reasonable excuse, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison or an $11,000 fine.
Ahead of a sentence hearing listed for December 10, Yazbek's lawyer Phillip English indicated a significant amount of material including media articles would be tendered on his behalf.
"This is a matter that's attracted significant media attention," Mr English said.
Yazbek was also photographed holding a flag in colours matching those of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.
His wife and business partner Rebecca Yazbek on Wednesday said her husband was no longer involved in managing Nomad's operations following a public and hospitality industry backlash.
Their company operates the critically acclaimed Nomad restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, where it also owns the French-themed Reine & La Rue.
"As both his wife and business partner, I was furious with his actions and heartbroken by the harm they caused," Ms Yazbek said in the statement.
"I fully understand the disappointment and frustration felt by those affected and I am committed to doing everything possible to restore your trust."
Ms Yazbek said the company had operated for more than a decade on the basis of "inclusivity, integrity, respect, dedication and excellence".
"Our actions in response to Al's behaviour demonstrate our commitment to honouring these values," she said.
Yazbek previously released a statement apologising for his actions and acknowledging the sign was "deeply offensive to the Jewish community".
"Friends and acquaintances who know me - both Jewish and gentile - know that I am not an anti-Semite," he said in the statement.
Yazbek added he had been traumatised every day by the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East.
"Within Israel, in Palestine and now in Lebanon. We must make it stop," he said.
"To the wider Jewish community, and in particular my Jewish friends, staff and guests of Nomad both past and present, I offer an olive branch of peace and love."
The protest attended by Yazbek featured a steep increase in attendance from previous rallies following an escalation of violence in the Middle East into Lebanon.
Some 1200 people were killed and another 250 abducted when Hamas attacked Israel.
More than 42,000 have been killed in subsequent Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. Lebanon's government says its death toll is more than 2500.
Alan Yazbek
