Mel Gibson working
with Jewish leaders

Faced with rising criticism of his unreleased movie, "The Passion," by the Anti-Defamation League, Mel Gibson is working with other Jewish leaders to "develop a strategy alongside this film to build bridges of understanding between various faith communities," says a statement by his marketing and media representatives released to some 300 people who have seen the film by special invitation.

The move comes after Gibson's Icon Pictures invited representatives of the ADL to screen the film – one the organization had criticized heavily before seeing the film about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus. Despite signing confidentiality agreements restricting media comments on the film, the ADL sent out a press release condemning the movie once again following the screening – this time actually based on the film's content itself.

"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. "We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, will fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate."

Icon Pictures plans to use the controversy stoked by the movie to foster a better dialogue between Christians and Jews.

"In addition to reframing the picture about the current controversy, this is to inform you about a forthcoming emphasis, called 'The Jewish Initiative,' which was begun in a meeting in Washington last week," said the statement by Gibson's marketing team. "Icon Productions has engaged leaders of the Jewish community to develop a strategy alongside this film to build bridges of understanding between various faith communities. While the details are still coming into focus, this effort was born out of Mel Gibson's longstanding desire that this film will foster dialogue, discussion and debate, rather than division, derision and defamation."

Gibson's team has been stunned and taken aback by the anti-Semitism allegations.

"Everyone associated with this project – especially Mr. Gibson – share the ADL's concerns about anti-Semitism and religious extremism in any form, and have been careful that there are no such implications in this movie," says the statement. "As you are aware from your own experience, consider:

• "'The Passion' does not seek to place blame, but rather to tell the positive and transforming story of faith, love, hope and forgiveness of a sacrifice willingly given. The film depicts Romans and Jews who are both sympathetic to Jesus as well as involved in his crucifixion, consistent with ancient, historical accounts on both sides of the question.

• "No one who has seen 'The Passion' has indicated the film caused them to be angry with those who sought Jesus' death. Rather, they are caught up in their own identification of the sufferings of Jesus – that he did that for 'me,' and that 'my sins' are what put Him there. The emotion is one of mourning, not anger, and a lingering desire to let more people know who Jesus was, rather than seek revenge.

• "It is obvious in the movie that the character depicting the devil floats in and out of all the intense scenes of scourging and crucifixion, and the Bible is clear Jesus' death was part of God's divine plan for the redemption of mankind.

• "The issue is not, 'Who killed Jesus?' but rather, 'Who will be identified with the new life, love, hope and forgiveness He offers?'"

Gibson's team fears the film is being misunderstood before it is ever seen by the general public.

"This film is not about anti-Semitism or any other form of discrimination or hatred," said the film team's statement. "It is about what Jesus suffered, and why – to bear the sin of all humanity – told through the eyes of a Christian artist in the medium he knows best. That is not anti-Semitic; it is pro-humanity. It is not just history; it is 'His Story.'"

Related columns:

Real anti-Semitism

Mel Gibson's 'The Passion'

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