Yishai calls for Gibson's Jesus film to be banned in Israel

Haaretz Israel ^ | 26 February 2004 | Amiram Barkat

[Hal1950]

Shas chairman MK Eli Yishai on Wednesday called for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" movie to be banned from Israeli cinemas, calling it a blood libel.

In the U.S., the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement saying that the film "repeats all of the stereotypes and myths surrounding the death of Jesus that have accompanied anti-Semitism for the last 2,000 years. Regretfully, Gibson refused all of our attempts for a dialogue aimed at preventing this harm to Jews."

ADL National Director Abraham Foxman said he was troubled by Gibson's claim of historical accuracy. "He made his choice," Foxman told a news conference after viewing the film. "And it's to blame the Jews."

"The Passion," which depicts in gruesome detail the final hours of the life of Jesus, premiered in the U.S. and other countries Wednesday, but not in Israel.

Jewish and other religious groups in Manhattan planned protests for Wednesday. Amcha, The Coalition for Jewish Concerns, planned to wear concentration camp uniforms at a New York theater to link the film's portrayal of Jews to the sort of hate that led to the Nazi Holocaust.

"The whole thing is a blood libel," said Yishai, from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, using a term that refers to a medieval slur that Jews used the blood of Christians to make unleavened bread for the Passover festival.

However, it appeared unlikely that the film would be banned. Few films have been barred in recent years, and the ones to be forbidden are usually pornographic. The Israeli film board, which makes these decisions, could not be reached for comment.

Yishai said the belief that the Jews had killed Jesus had led to "millions" of Jews being killed and persecuted in the last two millennia.

"This libel used to spread by word of mouth. Now the media are spreading it," Yishai told AP. "We should not accept this."

Yishai said he had also appealed to the Foreign Ministry to try to encourage other governments to bar the film.

Jewish leaders have said that the movie gives a harsh portrayal of Jews and blames them for death of Jesus. They have warned it could lead to a rise in anti-Semitism. Gibson, who also funded and co-scripted the film, denies that charge.

New York Cardinal Edward Egan, meanwhile, wrote to parishes to stress Jews were not responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.

"He gave His Life for us," Egan wrote in a column to appear in next month's issue of Catholic New York. "No one took it from Him. This is, and has always been, Catholic doctrine.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

They shouted him down then and they are attempting to shout him down today.

I have been telling people that all day. (I saw the movie at noon.) After all this time, there are still people who want to silence Jesus. They may have different motivations than they once did, but they still want His message silenced.

The other thing that I want to say is that I'm tired of the narcissism of those protesting this film. This movie isn't about Jews. It's about God, and about people - human beings. It's about the depths of ugliness we are capable of reaching, and it's about God's willingness to love us in spite of ourselves.

There's no need for anyone to take it more personally than that. (And that's personal enough.)

[Imal]

There is no doubt as to why the Torah is not easily made available to non-Jews. Now, with the internet, it's easier to research it.

This statement says a lot more about you than it does about the Torah, its availability or anything else.

You may also know the Torah as "The Old Testament". As for it being unavailable to non-Jews, that is one of the most asinine things I have seen posted in these forums in a very long time.

Whether it originated from stupidity or bigotry remains to be seen, but they tend to go hand in hand.

That sort of bogus, hateful, ZOG-nuanced, slanderous garbage belongs on an Aryan Nations website, not the Free Republic.

Shmuck.

[Piranha]

Sorry, when I wrote Midrash I meant Mishnah.

[Terry Mross]

Why would anyone be surprised that they want this movie banned in Israel? They didn't want Jesus there, didn't they?

[freebilly]

Must have picked up the habit of labelling people who disagree with you as Klansmen from the Rats....

[rogator]

"Keep up this stupid battle like on this thread, and the Muslims will kill us all and that will be the end of the whole shebang right there."

Osama is a lurker on FR and he loves this thread.

[Chris Talk]

Yes...and Malakhi also said

"I will send you Elijah the prophet, and he will turn the hearts of the fathers [Jews] to their children, and the hearts of the children [Christians] to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse [Islam]."

I hope it isn't too late for Jews and Christians to get together {REALLY not just a few sanctimonious platitudes by well-paid official leaders)...

For if we DON'T, then neither of us peoples of YHWH will fulfil its proper destiny.

All the best, Shalom, Good night, Lyla tov.

[Dialup Llama]

>New York Cardinal Edward Egan, meanwhile, wrote to parishes to stress Jews were not responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.

>"He gave His Life for us," Egan wrote in a column to appear in next month's issue of Catholic New York. "No one took it from Him. This is, and has always been, Catholic doctrine.

This exact quote was in the movie spoken by Jesus to counter any chance someone get the concept of corporate blame from the film.

[restornu]

You can't have it both ways!

[Dialup Llama]

There is a good reason to ban it in Israel. The Passion is a very direct and powerful presentation of the Gospel. It presents Jesus as savior, unambigiously. It links the prophesy in Isaiah to, Jesus' suffering, and that to the Last Supper.

[Salem]

"Hopefully when there is backlash from Jews against Evangelicals because of Foxman's propagandizing...that they will be patient enough to let the dust settle and be patient to repair any damage he and his ilk may have caused....."

The Jewish community I run with ain't buying what Foxman is selling. But you're still right, Joe, and when the dust clears, we'll still be there.

Another excellent commentary, by the way. Keep hitting them out of the park.  

FReeper joesnuffy at 73.




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Warnings ~

[restornu]

How many Snobbish pills did you take today?

[freebilly]

No. I meant it also brought out alot of repressed hatred of Jews.

I was once called a racist because I thought OJ Simpson was guilty. You are free to consider me an anti-semite because I believe you are wrong.

[Piranha]

I keep waiting for you to write something that I understand. You have posted lots of aphorisms, and although I have tried I haven't understood a single one of them.

[rmlew]

So you see the film as dangerously anti-collaborationist?

I don't see it as dangerous at all. But for the early use of the writtings of Sister Emmerich, I have no problems with the movie.

Speaking of Jesus's last hours, did anyone else see the special on the Discovery Channel, Who Killed Jesus?

[restornu]

Funny I feel the same about you!

[Al Simmons]

"Guillermo, you are dead wrong. The Torah is nothing more than the five books of Moses: genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers and deuteronomy. I bet that there is not a general bookstore in the country that doesn't have this on its shelves. "

I think he meant to say "Talmud" (but probably did not know the difference between the two).

[Piranha]

"Because I don't feel it is ALL just a small amount!

"You can't have it both ways!

"How many Snobbish pills did you take today?"


Do you write fortunes for fortune cookies in your day job? I honestly don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[rmlew]

"How to Make friends and Influence People"
There are three possiblities
1. Jesus was the Messiah
2. Jesus was both the Messiah and the son of God.
3. Jesus was a false prophet.

As a non-Christian, my position is clear.

[rmlew]

The english equivalent is Jesse.