Al Yazbek removed from Nomad management
Rebecca Yazbek, co-owner of the NOMAD Group of restaurants, today announced the removal of her husband and business partner, Al Yazbek, from the company’s management.
Al and Rebeca Yazbek
The decision follows widespread outrage over his recent participation in a pro-Palestinian protest, where he displayed a flag featuring a swastika superimposed on an Israeli flag, sparking public and financial fallout for the business.
Rebecca Yazbek acknowledged the offence caused by Al’s behaviour, stating, “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 both his wife and business partner, I was furious with his actions and heartbroken by the harm they caused.” She then confirmed his removal from the company’s management, stating, “As a result, he is no longer involved in the management of the business.”
Though this apology comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny for the NOMAD Group, some may question whether it’s primarily a response to the public relations crisis and mass cancellations at NOMAD’s Sydney and Melbourne venues, as well as the re-evaluation of partnerships with clients such as G.H. Mumm. Al Yazbek’s initial apology, in which he claimed, “Friends and acquaintances who know me – both Jewish and gentile – know I am not an antisemite,” has been met with scepticism, with many dismissing it as insincere.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, previously raised concerns about the sincerity of Yazbek’s apology, noting that his actions suggest a ‘pattern of antagonism’ towards the Jewish community. “No one took his apology seriously,” Ryvchin said, also noting that these incidents showed “planning and premeditation,” rather than being spontaneous lapses in judgement.
His actions during the protest are not an isolated incident. In 2014, he was questioned by police outside Bondi’s Mizrachi Synagogue after being found with a car full of water balloons, allegedly intended for a pro-Israel rally. Such actions, according to critics like Alex Ryvchin, point to a broader pattern of antagonistic behaviour towards the Jewish community. The fallout has been significant, with NOMAD Group reportedly seeing a wave of cancellations and potential loss of key business partnerships. In response, Al Yazbek has indicated he planned to go to an ashram in India to reflect on his actions.
While Rebecca Yazbek has assured patrons that the group’s values of “inclusivity, integrity, respect, dedication, and excellence” remain unchanged, NOMAD now faces the challenge of restoring trust with its customers and business partners.
