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Mel Gibson: I Don't Have a Jewish Problem

His camp tells TMZ he has no anti-Semitic leanings

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2011 9:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – So why would Mel Gibson decide to produce a movie about a famed Jewish warrior given his, er, Jewish problem? Easy, explains TMZ. Gibson doesn't think he has a Jewish problem. It quotes sources "very close" to Gibson as insisting that he doesn't hate Jews and that, wait for it, he has many Jewish friends and business associates. Gibson feels that he's made enough mea culpas for his infamous anti-Semitic rant in 2006 and that the movie should not be seen as a bid to mend ties because none need mending. Jewish groups beg to differ.

"I think it's, quite frankly, preposterous," a rabbi with the Simon Weisenthal Center tells CNN. "Judah Maccabee is one of the greatest heroes in Jewish history. Mel Gibson is an anti-Semite. He has made anti-Semitic remarks in the past. I don't know what Warner Bros. was thinking." The Washington Post rounds up similar sentiments ("Judah Maccabee deserves better") from the Anti-Defamation League and other groups.

Mel Gibson reacts during a hearing in a Los Angeles Superior Court last month.
Mel Gibson reacts during a hearing in a Los Angeles Superior Court last month.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 33 comments
ezezarathustra
Oct 4, 2011 9:28 AM CDT
I'm not jew or christian beacause I don't believe in religions, I don't know whether or not Gibson have a problem with Jews. it seems that he has. the only thing I know for sure is that "the passion of Christ" was a terrible movie , horrible, probably one of the worst films ever, It has no plot, no story, no nothing, just a man being beaten for two hours, an unreal beating (because no human being  could handle what the "film" shows)  of course the average Christian does not have enough knowledge of the art to realize that. 
1942
Sep 11, 2011 5:32 PM CDT
Albert Einstein, a Jew, who gave us the Theory of Relativity, the Speed of Light and first Nuclear bomb believed wholeheartedly in Jesus;  he called Jesus a Jewish Teacher.  One who's words can project his personality. One whose words cannot be myth of a life like his. Anyone who can put together the story of the Jewish teacher who died on the cross in the manner he did is genius.  Jim Caviezel is genius.  $500 Million is genius.  When he had to refinance his own house to put his picture on the screen; when Jewish Hollywood would not help.   Would you have done it?  That is faith.   Jews don't like to be told that they killed Jesus.  Deep inside they know.  None of us like to be told the truth.  The truth is that not all Jewish people killed Jesus.  It was the politics of the day together with  Rome.  Please have a little more respect for Mr. Mel Gibson, inspite of his human weaknesses, which we all have.   His mission in life shall find a very special place for him.  I hope you dissenters can say and see the same for yourselves. Would any of you disagree with Professor Einstein?  I didn't think so.  I rest my case.
Kookey90
Sep 11, 2011 5:10 PM CDT
Mel's the kind of person whom will love anyone whom lines his pockets with money; Jew, Arab, Iranian, African, French, Chinese. It doesn't matter whom - Mel's an equal oportunity kind of guy when it comes to money. Now for personal/ethical matrters, that's a whole different story.    

 
Jews • Mel Gibson • anti-Semitism • Warner Bros

 
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