NewsMine — propoganda — bible — the-passion — Viewing Item

Jewish leaders condemn gibson films depiction of jews { January 22 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109258,00.html http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,109258,00.html Jewish Leaders Condemn Gibson Film's Depiction of Jews Thursday, January 22, 2004 Representatives of two Jewish groups who attended screenings of Mel Gibson's (search) upcoming movie "The Passion of the Christ" said Thursday it contained offensive stereotypes about the Jewish role in the crucifixion. The American Jewish Committee (search), which sent its interfaith experts to church screenings in Florida and Illinois, said the movie contained "unnecessary and destructive imagery of Jews" and "represents a disturbing setback" to relations between Jews and Christians. Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League (search), who has accused Gibson of holding anti-Semitic views, saw the film for the first time Wednesday night in Florida. He said it is an "unambiguous portrayal of Jews as being responsible for the death of Jesus." Gibson, who directed, funded and co-scripted the film, has repeatedly denied that his movie maligns Jews. His spokesman, Alan Nierob, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Jewish groups have been worried that Gibson's script would ignore modern teaching by the Roman Catholic Church and many other denominations that Jews were not collectively responsible for Christ's death. The notion of Jewish guilt fueled anti-Semitism for centuries. An article about the film in The New Yorker magazine last September indicated Gibson would keep a biblical verse out that upsets Jews and has been used to justify anti-Semitism: "His blood be on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:25). That verse was not included in a version of the film The Associated Press saw last month. But Rabbi James Rudin, a longtime interfaith expert for the American Jewish Committee, a New York-based public policy group, Rabbi David Elcott, the organization's director of interreligious affairs, and Foxman all said the verse was now in the film. The movie is scheduled to be released on Ash Wednesday -- Feb. 25. "It's very disturbing that that was added," Rudin said. "It's not just another verse from the Gospels. It's a chilling verse because I know, and everyone knows, that that verse is the basis of blood libel." Elcott said the movie was not anti-Semitic, but called it "inflammatory" instead. And he said he did not anticipate any violence against Jews as a result of the movie. But he, Rudin and Foxman, feared it would generate ill will toward Jews, especially overseas, where anti-Semitism is on the rise. "The movie undermines the sense of community that has existed between Jews and Christians for decades," Elcott said. "This film makes it more important than ever for like-minded Christians and Jews to reassert their dedication to promoting interfaith harmony."

Adl attacks gibson film { July 22 2003 } Adl concern gibson film { August 11 2003 } Adl stance on passion questioned { November 14 2003 } Critics apologise to mel Film distributed independently europe { October 10 2003 } Fox doesnt want gibson film { August 30 2003 } French jews failed to get passion banned { March 29 2004 } Furor just before gibson passion opens Gibson breaks hollywood 10 commands { March 17 2004 } Gibson spewing anti semitism Gibson to delete a scene in passion { February 4 2004 } Gibsons passion hit among arabs { April 4 2004 } Jewish leaders condemn gibson films depiction of jews { January 22 2004 } Lightning strikes gibsons christ Mel gibson movie causes stir { August 2 2003 } Mel gibsons father says holocaust was exaggerated { February 19 2004 } Mostile mood awaits gibson passion in france Passion a hit in beirut damascus Passion gets special treatment in egypt { April 1 2004 } Passion returns to box office for easter Passion works miracles at box office { March 30 2004 } Pastor creates furor with sign blaming jews { February 26 2004 } Pope dod not endorse movie says aide Pope says it is as it was { December 17 2003 } Vatican thumbs up Weary french get film distribution thanks to arab { March 2 2004 } Who killed jesus Will hollywood snub passion or fahrenheit 911 Files Listed: 28

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.