A man pleaded guilty to displaying Nazi symbols at a pro-Palestinian rally – World

SYDNEY (AP) — A restaurateur pleaded guilty Thursday to displaying Nazi symbols at a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney in early October.

Alan Yazbek was photographed at a rally on October 6 in Sydney’s CBD holding a sign that replaced the Star of David on the Israeli flag with a blue swastika and the words “Stop Nazi Israel”.

Yazbek, 56, was also photographed with another green and yellow sign linked to Hezbollah, the terrorist organization in Australia, with the words “our boys in green and gold will win”.

The rally took place a day before the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel by Hamas.

Yazbek — co-founder of the Nomad Group, which owns three high-end restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne — was the only person charged after the rally, which was attended by about 10,000 people. The police initially tried to prevent the rally, but then agreed with the organizers, allowing the rally to pass peacefully.

Yazbek faces up to 12 months in prison or a fine of A$11,000 ($7,300). His sentence should be announced on December 10.

Making Nazi gestures and displaying Nazi symbols such as the swastika have been banned by various state and federal laws since 2022. Jewish groups in Australia have reported a sharp increase in anti-Semitic activity as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.

Earlier in October, Australia’s police chief was forced to apologize to the Jewish community after a 65-year-old sergeant allegedly performed a banned Nazi salute at a police academy. In the same week, a self-described Nazi was told by a judge that he would become the first person in Australia to be jailed for making the same banned gesture.

In June, three soccer fans were fined for performing a salute during a match in Sydney. The men were the first to be convicted of such offenses in Australia and have appealed.