ADL Says Concerns About Gibson's "Passion" Have Caused Anti-Semitic Backlash

August 13, 2003

Source: Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4334_12.htm

On August 13, 2003 the Anti-Defamation League released a statement saying that their public concern over Mel Gibson's upcoming movie, "The Passion," had caused a public wave of anti-semitism. The group's statement said, "Since going public with its concerns about the film, ADL has received a slew of e-mails and phone calls referencing 'The Passion' while making hateful slurs about Jews and Judaism...'The haters are using our concerns about Mel Gibson's film as an excuse to spread anti-Semitism,' [said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.] 'What concerns us even more, however, is what could happen if the film is released in its current form.'"