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Mel Gibson to produce film about famous Jewish hero
Australian’s decision to bring Judah Maccabee’s story to the silver screen has caused outrage
HAVE YOU heard the one about the alleged anti-Semite who made a film about a Jewish hero? You have now – Mel Gibson is producing a new movie on the renowned Hebrew warrior Judah Maccabee.
Gibson, best known for his roles in Braveheart and Lethal Weapon, is infamously alleged to have launched a torrent of anti-Semitic slurs in 2006 when arrested by police. "Fucking Jews," the Australian actor said, according to a police report. "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
Now it appears Gibson is trying to make amends. The 55-year-old has teamed up with Basic Instinct writer Joe Eszterhas to bring out a historic drama based on the life of Judah Maccabee. Gibson has been reportedly working on the project for a decade and has received interest from a number of studios, including Warner Bros.
Maccabee was a priest who successfully led a revolt in the 2nd century BC against the ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who had forbidden Jewish practices. He has been described, inevitably, as the 'Jewish Braveheart'.
Gibson's plans have been greeted with disdain from some Jewish organisations. "Judah Maccabee deserves better," said Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti Defamation League. "He is a hero of the Jewish people and a universal hero in the struggle for religious liberty. It would be a travesty to have his story told by one who has no respect and sensitivity for other people's religious views." ·
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As a descendant of a Jewish man, I find it abhorrent that a known anti-semite will bring to the silver screen a story told of one of the greatest Jewish heroes. It is beyond reasoning that Mel Gibson is trying to rehabilitate his reputation with the story of Judah Maccabee.
If the owners and moguls of the company financing this picture read this, please don't let Mel Gibson try to ride his reputation back to good on the story of such a beloved Jewish figure.
FFS, give him some credit Foxman. He is trying to make amends, or are you so filled with your own pride that you cannot appreciate that? Remember that pride is a great sin. Repent man!
Reminds me of S. Paul. If he is successful, the Jews may want to cononize Mel!