Update: Faced with a mounting public outcry over his anti-Semitic remarks, Mel Gibson issued a second apology on August 1, which the League accepted.

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New York, NY, July 30, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said actor and director Mel Gibson's apology for hurling anti-Semitic invective at a police officer during his arrest for driving under the influence was "unremorseful and insufficient" and said his tirade "finally reveals his true self." 

According to reports, Mr. Gibson yelled epithets at the arresting officer, asked him if he was Jewish and stated that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Gibson apologized for saying "despicable things" that he "does not believe to be true."

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

Mel Gibson's apology is unremorseful and insufficient.  It's not a proper apology because it does not go to the essence of his bigotry and his anti-Semitism.

His tirade finally reveals his true self and shows that his protestations during the debate over his film "The Passion of the Christ," that he is such a tolerant, loving person, were a sham.  It may well be that the bigotry has been passed from the father to the son.  It is unfortunate that it took an excess of booze and an encounter with a police officer to reveal what was really in his heart and mind.

We would hope that Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst and that they will distance themselves from this anti-Semite.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.