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Gibson admits anti-Semitic rant, holocaust series cancelled (Roundup)
Aug 1, 2006, 22:01 GMT
Los Angeles, California Sheriff\'s Department booking photograph of actor Mel Gibson following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Malibu, California on 29 July 2006. Gibson has come under fire for anti-Semitic remarks he made to deputies when he was arrested. EPA/HO/LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF\'S DEPARTMENT/HANDOUT
Los Angeles - Actor-director Mel Gibson on Tuesday admitted making anti-Semitic remarks after his drunk-driving arrest Friday.
In his second statement released since the incident, the director of the hit 2004 movie The Passion of The Christ apologized for the comments, insisting that he was not an anti-Semite and calling for a meeting with Jewish leaders to find 'the appropriate path for healing.'
The mea culpa from the devoutly Catholic superstar came as fallout from the incident spread throughout Hollywood. The Disney-owned ABC network announced that it was cancelling plans for a holocaust mini- series that had been in development with Gibson's Icon production company.
'There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark,' Gibson, 50, said in a statement.
'Please know from my heart I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith,' he said. 'I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display.'
Gibson addressed his apology to 'everyone in the Jewish community' and asked to meet Jewish leaders in order to have 'a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing'.
Earlier Gibson's publicist Alan Nierob revealed that Gibson had entered a rehab programme.
Meanwhile a lawyer leading an investigation into allegations that police gave Gibson preferential treatment said that his initial investigation showed that the arrest was 'handled in accord with policies and procedures.'
But Michael Gennaco, from the Office of Independent Review, did not address the specific charges that the police report on the incident had expunged Gibson's racist comments or his abusive language to his arresting officer and other police officials.
'There is more to be done in the case,' Gennaco said, acknowledging 'concerns about whether the disclosure and documentation of information surrounding the arrest was consistent with department policy'.
Gibson was previously accused of stirring up anti-Semitism with his hit movie The Passion of the Christ. Gibson strongly denied those charges, but his comments at the time of his arrest Friday gave plenty of ammunition to his critics.
'Fucking Jews,' Gibson was quoted as telling his arresting officer, after being pulled over Friday for driving 140 kilometres- per-hour on the Pacific Coast Highway near his Malibu home. 'The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. Are you a Jew?'
Los Angeles Police are investigating whether there was an attempted cover-up of Gibson's comments. According to celebrity website TMZ.com, the original arresting report included details of Gibson's rant against Jews, his abusive language towards police officers, and even his attempt to escape custody, but this information was expunged from the official report and not revealed in a statement to the press.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
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Old nursery rhyme: Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you.
New nursery rhyme: Missiles and bombs can break Palestinian bones, but stones can never hurt Israeli tanks.
Newer nursery rhyme: Missiles and bombs can break Lebanese bones, but, alas, Mel Gibson's words hurt the Jews.
Gib Gibson is an anti-semite, has been for a very long time and the next time he starts his drunken diatribe, I hope there's a nice Jewish boy (think Jesus-you anti-semite!!!)who will teach the absolute jerk a tough lesson. Braveheart was my favorite movie. I'm never going to do anything to put another penny in the racist's pocket!!! Hope the judge throws the book at him for his boozing! Next time there could be an innocent killed because of his selfish ways!
MADD member
Don't let the media fool you. I think if you poll the world, you'll find 20 million anti-Gibsonic, 4 billion pro-Gibsonic, 1.98 billion don't care.
As a Jew and a humanitarian, I was offended, though not surprised, by Gibson's hateful remarks.
On the other hand, I think it's great that he disavowed his comments and expressed a desire to meet with Jewish community leaders.
Obviously, this will be construed by some as insincere, but I, preferring to be optimistic, hope that he might confront his own demons ie alcoholism and bigotry and emerge a better ie more humane and less hateful individual.
If, as has been widely reported, his father is an avowed bigot, then Mel certainly comes from a negative background.
I hope this incident serves to enlighten him. I also hope that Jewish 'leaders' exercise restraint and display tolerance in dealing with Gibson, at least for as long as he is making an effort to make ammends.
I think this will be a good test of modern Judaism. Does the religion have the capacity for compassion? Does the religion have the capacity for forgiveness? So far, I am seeing a lot of hand wringing and not a lot of clear thinking on the part of the Jewish populous and leadership. The man made a mistake, he got a bit drunk (ok maybe a lot drunk), and said a few things he probably shouldn't have. In all honesty, I'm certainly not anti-Jew (nor anti-Israel for that matter), but some of Israel's recent bone-head moves anger me to. As far as has been disclosed, he never said 'Israel should die' or 'I'm going to blow them up' or anything of the like. He only said that they are the reason for recent wars..and activity that they seem to have a nack for doing with the help of a few terrorists.
If the Jews are truly a strong and proud people, as I believe they are, then they should start acting like it. I hope that tomorrow some of their leadership steps forward and accepts Mel's apology. It is time to nip some of the hate in the world in the bud.
I wish everyone would just get off pof Mel, these people who are making snide remarks about him, like Barbara Walters, are just envious of him, (he probably turned down an invite to the View), please name me one person who is perfect?
I am so tired of the world expecting celebrities to be the perfect humans. Who cares what he said. People make stupid comments. Instead of focusing on Mel Gibson and what he does, why not go home and focus on your own family issues. We all have them now don’t we! If he was under the influence while driving, then he should be treated just like any other person, because that is what he is, just a person. You can say what you like right? Well so can he. Get over it.
What is unfortunate is that Celebrities cannot always speak their minds without committing carreer suicide . Mr. Gibson did not however commit hate crimes or committ to hate he is only expressing the views of many millions more who feel that the confflicts in the Middle east are caused and are the fault of certain parties which include Israel Palestine Hezzbollah and the likes nobody is immune or an angel .
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Shelly CroweAug 1st, 2006 - 22:45:34
In the Bible there's an important story about not throwing stones if one is a sinner. Mel Gibson has made no statement that I ever found that he is anything but a human being - a sinner like the rest of us, a man searching for answers within himself, Jesus Christ, his family and friends. I'm sorry he's fallen back to drinking. So many people think that because we call ourselves Christians and feel forgiven by Christ that we should be perfect and never backslide. Not true. He's done amazing movies, amazing charitable contributions and usually seems like a pretty good family guy. He has apologized for a stupid comment (who hasn't made them???, again, the stones). I really don't understand why people are trying to demonize him. Biblically, the Jewish people and Christians don't agree. It's easy to love our friends, but harder to love our enemies. He has apologized and I think people in the Entertainment Industry (ummmm, no sin there) should let him get on with his life. My opinion, Thanks for reading.
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