Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic outburst leads to actor’s appeal for forgiveness

By Brendan Smith
brendansmith@transworldnews.com

Gibson’s highly publicized arrest for drunk driving has had little to do with the actor’s alcohol problem and more to do with his anti-Semitic comments made after he was pulled over for speeding. The highly intoxicated actor reportedly said “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” while police were placing the Hollywood star under arrest.

In his independently produced film The Passion of the Christ Gibson faced public scrutiny from several groups for the movies underlying anti-Semitism. Gibson, a Roman Catholic, vehemently denied any such accusations and continued by proclaiming his personal beliefs that the Jewish faith was not in question or under attack.

While the film grossed over $600 million world-wide his critic’s cries had little bearing on the general public’s view of Gibson. Friday night changed that outlook and has led to boycotts of his films and a call to blacklist the man who at one time was labeled by Entertainment Weekly as the most powerful man in Hollywood.

Gibson issued a statement in which he expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness saying, “I want to apologize 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.”

The Australian actor continued by explaining, “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.”

Many Jewish leaders have called Gibson to action before they are willing to sit down with him. Part of that action is centered on his recovery program involving alcohol, followed by acts such as visiting Nazi concentration camps. Once Gibson has fully accepted the impact of his tirade and recognized it as being anti-Semitic then Jewish leaders would consider a discussion.

One such leader, Rabbi Marvin Hier called for Gibson’s act of contrition “We will know when the time is, but the time is certainly not when his press agents think it is… 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.”

For Gibson, erasing the callous remarks made on Friday will not be as easy as it was in the past. With the actor’s reputation and character at stake he will have to equate forgiveness with action and more action.

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