Another Sydney restauranteur faces backlash for antisemitic posts
Nick Stone, owner of Bistro St Jacques in Redfern, Sydney, is under fire after posting antisemitic content on his Instagram account.
Nick Stone Pic: Instagram
On October 7, Stone shared an image depicting an Israeli soldier as a blood-soaked pig with a Star of David and referred to Jews as a “death cult,” ending the post with “glory to the resistance.”
The timing coincided with the anniversary of Hamas’s attacks on Israel, reflecting heightened tensions. Stone also posted an image of a distressed child in Gaza with a message wishing similar suffering upon Jewish children. His posts, which linked back to his restaurant, suggested a disturbing promotional angle. Another post featured a clenched fist in the colours of the Palestinian flag with the phrase “Free Palestine” and the caption, “October 7 wear your colours proud.”
Stone’s actions echo dehumanizing tactics from Nazi propaganda, notably those seen in Der Stürmer, which often portrayed Jewish people as pigs or other animals to incite hatred or disgust. His statement of Jews as a “death cult” is similarly rooted in centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories, including the blood libel accusations of the medieval period.
This incident is the latest in a string of antisemitic episodes in Sydney. Al Yazbek, owner of Nomad, recently faced charges for displaying a Nazi symbol at a pro-Palestine rally and planning to water-bomb a pro-Israel gathering. Additionally, this week, Avner’s Bakery, owned by Jewish chef Ed Halmagyi, was vandalized with Hamas graffiti.
When contacted by The Australian, Stone stated, “I have no comment to make on what was a personal Instagram post. My comment there was about the actions of the IDF – actions which have been condemned by many reputable international bodies. It was not about Jewish people who are welcome in my restaurant as are people of all other faiths and no faith.” Stone later removed the posts and set his account to private.
Despite his comments, the backlash from both the Jewish community and the public has been substantial, with many condemning the posts as offensive and indicating they would not frequent his restaurant. As concerns grow over the public display of antisemitic rhetoric in Sydney’s dining scene and beyond, there are increasing calls for accountability and action from law enforcement and government officials in response to these incidents.
CEO of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Michele Goldman told J-Wire: “This is further evidence of the epidemic of antisemitism.On one hand, Jewish restaurants in Sydney are being vandalised and threatened and on the other restaurateurs are promulgating shameful antisemitic imagery on social media and in our streets. This is not normal and it isn’t tolerable.
The posts are shameful and despicable examples of unadulterated antisemitism.”
What a coward Stone is!
Just like Yazbek, as soon as they get caught, they cry innocence.
Where are the police? The outraged politicians?
This is DEFINITELY breaking the law under our Racial Hatred Act.
Prosecution and not some cowardly, lying, lame excuses must come.