Foxman and The Passion of the Christ

None | None

[h.a. cherev]

As we all know, Abe Foxman denounced the movie. I heard he recanted, but am unable to find any evidence.

I would like to write a letter to my local Jewish paper explaining just how much Foxman has done to "improve" Jewish/Christian relations with his whining, as well as make a few well-chosen remarks about his credibility.

Can anyone supply me with a link to the article where Foxman recants?

Thanks.

[cripplecreek]

Try the ADL.

Gibson should throw a few bucks Foxmans way, he did more to promote the movie than Gibson could have ever done.

[h.a. cherev]

I'm not sure Foxy wasn't on Gibson's payroll.

[lady lawyer]

I've thought the same thing. Foxman should get a percentage.

[WestTexasWend]

http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/3/1/114432.shtml

[bogdanPolska12]

Anti-Defamation League's Foxman Brands Gibson an 'Anti-Semite' (From Newsmax article)

Phil Brennan, NewsMax.com
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003
Also see: Why Does ADL Fail to Criticize the 'Anti-Semite' Woody Allen?
The head of the nation's most influential Jewish organization has charged that Mel Gibson is an "anti-Semite."

Anti-Defamation League's Abraham Foxman had previously avoided affixing the label on Gibson, who directed "The Passion," a movie about the last 12 hours of Jesus.

In a biting article published in The Jewish Week, Foxman charged, "Recent statements by Mel Gibson paint the portrait of an anti-Semite," and said the star was spouting "classic anti-Semitism."

Repeating the charge that Gibson's movie negatively portrays Jews, a claim that those who have actually seen "The Passion" heatedly refute, the story notes that "no mainstream Christian or Jewish community leader has until now made such a direct charge against Gibson …."

Instead, so-called "interfaith critics" – a panel of nine scholars co-founded by Foxman before the film was made, who falsely represented themselves as a committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and who are angry that the film is based on the four Gospels they regard as unreliable - have focused on the "bloody movie." They claim that "by promoting the 2,000-year-old charge of Christ killers against Jews [an equally false charge], the film would fuel anti-Semitism around the world."

Foxman uses Gibson’s 85-year-old father, Hutton, to attack the filmmaker. Foxman says that the elder Gibson has been quoted as saying that far fewer Jews died in the Holocaust than 6 million and that he is a conspiracist claiming Jews are behind recent Vatican reforms.

"There’s no longer a debate where [Mel Gibson] is coming from," Foxman said Tuesday. "He is a true believer that the true story of the suffering [of Jesus] is that the Jews made him suffer."

Foxman blasted Gibson for telling New Yorker writer Peter J. Boyer that he portrays himself as being persecuted like Jesus for making the film, and as a victim of a murderous cabal who forced him to make changes in the film that could end his career.

Among Foxman’s other charges:


Gibson told Boyer he was sorry he removed a scene in which the high priest recites the curse from the Gospel of Matthew proclaiming that the blood of Jesus is upon him and his children. "But, man, if I included that in there, they’d be coming after me at my house, they’d come kill me."

Gibson accused "modern secular Judaism" of blaming "the Holocaust on the Catholic Church. And it’s a lie. And it’s revisionism. And they’ve been working on that one for a while."
"When you put those things together," said Foxman, "that is a portrait of an anti-Semite. To me this is classic anti-Semitism."

Gibson’s spokesman Alan Nierob told The Jewish Week that this was the first time he’s heard a charge of anti-Semitism directed at Gibson.

"It’s an irresponsible statement," Nierob said. "I won’t even dignify it with a response."


Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Mel Gibson Passion
Editor's note:
James Hirsen’s "Tales from the Left Coast" - Find out the real story behind Mel Gibson`s "The Passion," and more!

[Ronin]

I think Foxy deserves a swift kick in the family jewels -- but you can bet HE thinks he deserves a percentage.

I don't believe for a moment he was on Mel's payroll, but I definitely believe he was in it for his own benefit.

[Cboldt]

ADL's Foxman: 'Passion' Relies on Theme of Anti-Semitism 25 January 2004

Mr. Gibson has produced his film with willful disregard for the opinions and outreach efforts of mainstream Jewish organizations and many Catholic and Jewish scholars. These mainstream religious leaders have continued to express concern about the impact of the film and its potential to turn back the clock on decades of positive interfaith dialogue and the Vatican II Council reforms of the Catholic Church. Their concerns, and ours, have gone unheeded.

ADL's own page seems similarly critical of the film, but is using less inflamatory rhetoric ...

ADL and Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. ADL has said the film could fuel anti-Semitism. How so?
A. We fear the consequences of this film. There will be many people who are not so familiar with the Gospel narratives and might believe that everything they see on the film derives directly from the New Testament. Much of what is on the screen is Mr. Gibson's artistic vision and finds its genesis in extra-Biblical sources. We are also concerned about those who already are disposed unfavorably toward Jews and will use this to fan the flames of hatred.

---

I am still looking for later Foxman statements. You know, I hadn't heard much about this guy until he registered his opinion regarding Gibson's movie. But, I think Foxman is capable of defending his expressions. I'll keep looking for what he's said on the subject, and let you know if I find anything stronger than the difference intimated above.

[SauronOfMordor]

Passion's first week's gross is fairly close to what "Return of the King's" first weeks gross was. Gibson made back his costs in the first 4 days of release

[lady lawyer]

I was just kidding.

[bogdanPolska12]

I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Anti-Semitic I don't think so. This movie is about salvation and truth.

[per loin]

Now that the Supreme Court has refused to reverse the lower court, the ADL must pay a Colorado couple about $12 Million for defaming them. I guess this means that the ADL must be listed as pro-defamation.

BTW, you might ask your media why this story is not being covered.

[h.a. cherev]

Thanks, but I got this part. Did he recant?

[bogdanPolska12]

Did he recant? Explain I don't understand this comment.

[yhwhsman]

I don't believe for a moment he was on Mel's payroll, but I definitely believe he was in it for his own benefit.

Me too. By taking up this shrill cry of anti-semitism, he's hoping (I'm assuming) to increase the flow of donations into his organization. And it's already started, any act of 'anti-semitism' will be claimed to be a consequence of The Passion of Christ.

In my opinion, the one who is sitrring up anti-semitism is the ADL.

[h.a. cherev]

One poster I was chatting with on another thread claimed he recanted. I didn't think about it at the time and now I'm not sure what thread it was on....so I was looking for help to see if anyone else knew anything about it.

[Cboldt]

Here is a more recent link relating to ADL's position:

U.S. Newswire - Extremists Latch on to 'The Passion of the Christ', Says the Anti-Defamation League

NEW YORK, March 4 /U.S. Newswire/ -- White supremacists and anti-Semitic extremists are expressing delight over the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Their hope is that anti-Semitic sentiments will be inflamed by the film and are planning ways to use the controversy to promote their anti-Semitic messages, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which monitors extremist groups and exposes their rhetoric, has identified several anti- Semitic groups and individuals who are attempting to use the controversy to promote their own hateful agendas. These include the anti-Semitic National Alliance, the nation's largest and most virulent hate group, and adherents of Christian Identity, an extremist religious sect that teaches that Jews are descended from Satan. Their activities range from covert discussions in Internet chat rooms to public action, including spreading of anti-Semitic propaganda near movie theaters in Los Angeles, San Diego, Connecticut and elsewhere.

The most up-to-date information on this trend is available on the League's Web site at http://www.adl.org. (Click on the link, "Extremists Latch on to the Passion of the Christ.") To speak with an expert on anti-Semitic extremists, their rhetoric and tactics, contact the ADL Media Relations Department at 212-885-7749, or e-mail: adlmedia@adl.org.