Marc Morano, CNSNews.com
Monday, Nov. 10, 2003

Orthodox Rabbi Daniel Lapin, president of the Seattle-based Jewish group Toward Tradition, said ADL's panel discussion last week criticizing "The Passion of Christ" could jeopardize relations between Jews and Christians.

ADL's Abraham Foxman had alleged that Gibson was "seriously infected with some very, very serious anti-Semitic views" for directing and producing the movie about Jesus' crucifixion.

'Agenda of Secular Liberalism'

"In a way that has been unprecedented in 2,000 years, there is an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect between Jews and Christians in America, literally of the kind that has not been seen in 2,000 years, and this is being jeopardized - flagrantly jeopardized by Abraham Foxman in a cynical attempt to promote the agenda of secular liberalism," Lapin told CNSNews.com. Lapin's group seeks to promote harmony between Christians and Jews.

ADL, Lapin charged, does not seek to promote or defend the Jewish faith. "They are merely preaching secular fundamentalism," he said.

Christians viewing Gibson's movie also will have trouble understanding the objections voiced by ADL, according to Lapin.

"Millions of Christians are going to be uplifted by the movie, find themselves moved by Gibson's movie, by the obvious fervor and sincerity of the man who made the movie."

He said Christian moviegoers would not forget ADL's attacks on the film.

'Attacks on Christianity'

"I believe that many of them will remember Abraham Foxman's hysterical rantings and think of them as attacks on Christianity," Lapin said. "What [Foxman] is doing is actually attacking core beliefs in Christianity."

Foxman made the controversial remarks about Gibson at a panel discussion titled "Mel Gibson's The Passion: A Conversation on Its Implications for Jews and Christians." The discussion took place during ADL's 90th annual national meeting Thursday in New York City.

In an interview with CNSNews.com after the panel discussion, Foxman further explained his views about Gibson.

"[Gibson's] got classical anti-Semitic views. If he can say that there is a cabal out there of secular liberal Jews who are trying to blame the Holocaust on the Catholic Church, that's a classic anti-Semitic canard - that Jews operate in cabals to get their way," Foxman said.

"If he can say that somebody will not permit him to make another move - who? Jewish Hollywood? The ADL? When he can say that he now understands how Jesus felt now - not before he made the film, not because the Gospel inspired him, but now - because he has been criticized and attacked. That's anti-Semitism," Foxman told CNSNews.com.

"The Passion of Christ," set to open on Feb. 25, 2004, depicts the final 12 hours of Christ's life in bloody detail. The $25 million movie, produced by Gibson's Icon Productions and distributed by Newmarket Films, strives to achieve authenticity by featuring only Latin and Aramaic dialogue with English subtitles.

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Editor's note:
Mel Gibson fights back and talks with NewsMax Magazine -- Click here for new revelations

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