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Mel Gibson tainted by alleged anti-Semitic remarks
2006-07-31 05:38:56 Xinhua English

Mel Gibson'sThe Passion of the ChristBEIJING, July31 (Xinhuanet)-- Mel Gibson wasalleged to have unleashed abusive anti-Semitic remarks during his drunk-driving arrest Friday morning, which were condemned by Jewish community and could hurt his stardom.

The entertainment Web site TMZ posted what it said were four pages from the original arrest report, which quoted Gibson as launching a "barrage of anti-Semitic remarks" after he was stopped on Pacific Coast Highway.

According to the report, in addition to threatening the arresting deputy and trying to escape, Gibson said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked the officer, James Mee, "Are you a Jew?"

The report has not been made public, but the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that it had independently verified its authenticity.

Sheriff's officials have declined to comment on Gibson's alleged remarks.

Mel Gibson was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning for allegedly driving his 2006 Lexus at 87 mph (140 kph) along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the beach town north of Los Angeles.

The Oscar-winning director and actor apologized Saturday for belligerent behavior and for saying what he called "despicable" things that he does "not believe to be true" when he was arrested.

But Gibson, in a statement, stopped short of addressing claims that he made virulently anti-Semitic

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said in a statement on Sunday that Gibson's response was "unremorseful and insufficient" and that his tirade "finally reveals his true self."

"Liquor loosens the tongue of what's in the mind and in the heart, and in his mind and in his heart is his conspiracy theory about Jews and hatred of Jews," said Rabbi Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the ADL.

Many Jews and others were upset that "The Passion of the Christ" revived ancient Christian accusations that Jews bore responsibility for Jesus' death.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a civilian committee overseeing the sheriff's department would investigate whether officers tried to cover up Gibson's behaviour and statements to save the star from embarrassment.

"It's a nuclear disaster for him," said publicist Michael Levine, who has represented Michael Jackson and Charlton Heston, among others. "I don't see how he can restore himself."

Gibson rocketed to fame in the late 1970s in the movie "Mad Max" and scored huge box office hits playing a cop in the "Lethal Weapon" movies.

In 1995, he acted in and directed "Braveheart," about 13th century Scottish rebel William Wallace. The movie earned 10 Oscar nominations and won five of the top film awards, including directing for Gibson and best picture of the year.Enditem

(Agencies)

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