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ADL Response to Mel Gibson
Abraham H. Foxman’s response to Mel Gibson’s letter of January 30, 2004. Mr. Foxman reiterates his desire to meet with Mr. Gibson to discuss ADL’s concerns about "The Passion of the Christ."
• ADL's Letter to Mr. Gibson Requesting a Meeting
Mr. Mel Gibson
Icon Productions, Inc.
808 Wilshire Blvd., 4th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mr. Gibson:
Thank you for your kind words. We welcome your expression of faith and are encouraged that you take our concerns seriously. We agree that respect is a good starting point toward dialogue and mutual understanding.
Unfortunately, your letter does not address any of the issues we raised in our most recent correspondence, and the concerns that we have been raising all along since we first reached out to you in March 2003.
Your words do not mitigate our concerns about the potential consequences of your film, "The Passion of the Christ" to fuel and legitimize anti-Semitism. Nor do they address the questions we raised in our letter and in our public statements following the screening of your film in Orlando. How will the film be viewed by others? Could the images of your film be used by those who are disposed toward hatred to harden their hearts? And you do not address our hope that as a responsible filmmaker you might take steps - such as adding a postscript - to ensure that your audience does not walk away from the film convinced that Jews bear responsibility in the Crucifixion.
So far you have not responded to our request of 11 months for us to meet. We look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss our concerns.
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Sincerely,
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
cc: Alan Nierob, Rogers & Cowan
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