Posted on 08/01/2006 5:11:10 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
ACTOR Mel Gibson today apologised for making anti-Semitic remarks after his recent arrest for drunken driving and asked to meet with members of the Jewish community to begin a "path for healing".
"There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark," Gibson said in a statement. "I want to apologise specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested," he said.
Gibson, who directed 2004's blockbuster movie The Passion of The Christ about the last hours of the life of Jesus, was caught speeding in his car in the early hours of last Friday, and he went on a rant in which he is widely reported to have said "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world".
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department report, parts of which have appeared on celebrity website TMZ.com, is laced with anti-Semitic statements and expletives said by the actor.
The report said an opened bottle of tequila was found in the car, and that at one point Gibson tried to evade arrest.
But it has been the anti-Semitic remarks that have raised the biggest outcry from members of the Jewish community in and out of Hollywood because before Passion, the Oscar-winning director of Braveheart and star of the Lethal Weapon movies denied he or the movie were anti-Semitic.
His statement today sought a meeting with Jewish community leaders in which he could explain his actions.
"I'm not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing," Gibson said.
He said he has begun "an ongoing program of recovery," but admitted "I cannot do it alone".
"I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery," Gibson said.
Several Jewish leaders said Gibson must first complete his recovery program and perform acts of goodwill such as visiting Nazi death camps before they would answer his plea for help.
"We will know when the time is, but the time is certainly not when his press agents think it is," said Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
"I certainly think he is facing his alcoholism, and now I think he needs to face the statements of bigotry and anti-Semitism the same."
The Anti-Defamation League "accepted the apology" and National Director Abraham Foxman said that when Gibson's recovery was complete, "we will be ready and willing to help him".
A spokeswoman for ABC said the network canceled development of a Holocaust miniseries because nearly two years had passed since ABC struck a deal with Gibson's production company to make it and it had not yet even seen a script.
Michael Gennaco, who heads the sheriff department's oversight board, defended the department against claims it gave Gibson favourable treatment during his arrest and in its report.
Mr Gennaco said an initial probe showed LA sheriffs did not violate department policies, and added the final arrest report would include inflammatory comments made by Gibson.
That report will be made public when prosecutors present their case.
A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney said a date for filing formal charges had yet to be decided.
"Do you believe this mindset came about overnight while getting drunk, or the most likely reality that he is an anti-Semite?"
Who are you? Sigmund Freud?
"I will not accept an apology from one who was just speaking his real feelings because the booze brought the truth out."
And I thought the Great Carnac was dead.
Don't forgive, don't expect forgiveness. Show no mercy, get no mercy.
Gibson could be confusing the Hollywood kind of Chuck Schmers we have NYC with the rest of God fearing good people!
Not all make movies to hurt Israel or like the NY Simes to hurt Israel there is a different Mel Gibson!
""Get over it, I was only following orders."
Nazi's said just about the same thing, that left millions of Jews murdered."
Put down the pipe. Guy gets drunk and now we're at this level? What a drama queen!
BTW, love your screen name!
Well, I bow to your expertise in that area! But don't hold onto your grudge forever. He may be in another great movie someday.
"Gibson doesn't owe you an apology".
Whoaaaa. Then only Jewish people should be permitted to defend him.
Mel's human. Nothing more needs be said. He needs to live his life forward, never again to make anti semitic remarks and I believe he'll be okay.
I hold no grudge, I doubt his apology that's all. If anything, I would love nothing more that Mr.Gibson to prove me wrong. :) And I sincerely hope and pray that he does want to change. I wish Mr.Gibson the best always.
APOLOGY ACCEPTED!
And I'll have the roast duck with mango salza.
You're still not a participant in this controversy. This is between the Jewish community and Mel Gibson. Those verses have no bearing on your position in this, rather they refer to God's protection of Israel and His son entering the world through it. I think it's time for a readjustment of your self-importance, and stop reading things into scripture that isn't there.
Again forgive me I didn't know "you guys were still around." LOL great post!
"Then only Jewish people should be permitted to defend him."
Really? What about "Sugar Tits?"
I am a participant in this thread
If you disagree with me , I have no problem at all. I will defend your right to your opinion, even if you disagree with me. Best of wishes to you and yours.
LOL!!!!!
Did that happen to Mel?
I don't know, I hope so! Why? because, "with God all things are possible".
People see only the outward appearance, but God see the heart, so time will tell if Mel had a real conversion.
"Sounds like a good apology to me, he took responsibility for his horrific statements and is owning up them, this is a good step, time will tell."
Not good enough for most of the sanctimonious posters on FR. Can you hear it? "Give us Barabbas!"
They can, it's rare that it takes less than a week though.
And purging unreasonable hate can be as hard as the deprogramming of a cultist.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.