Mel Gibson seeks forgiveness for anti-Semitic rant

LOS ANGELES - Actor Mel Gibson has apologized for making anti-Semitic remarks in a drunken rant and asked to meet Jewish leaders, but several called on the Hollywood superstar to first show deeds and not offer words.

Separately, US television network ABC pulled a program about the Holocaust that Gibson's company was producing, and a Los Angeles official defended the sheriff's department's handling of Gibson's arrest against charges that he was shown favoritism.

"I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested," Gibson said in a statement.

Gibson, who directed 2004's blockbuster movie "The Passion of The Christ" about the last hours of the life of Jesus, was caught speeding early on Friday, and he went on a rant in which he is widely reported to have said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department report, parts of which have been widely reported and confirmed by officials, is laced with anti-Semitic remarks and expletives from Gibson.

The report said an open bottle of tequila was found in Gibson's car, and today, celebrity magazine In Touch Weekly published photos of the actor drinking in a Malibu, California bar and hugging female patrons.

In his statement, the Oscar-winning director of "Braveheart" and actor in the "Lethal Weapon" movie series said he had entered "an ongoing program of recovery." In the past, Gibson has admitted to having problems with alcohol.

Gibson's plea for help

But his anti-Semitic remarks have raised a huge outcry because before "Passion," a US$610 million global box office hit, Gibson had to deny that either he or his movie were anti-Semitic. Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, is a Holocaust denier.

"I'm not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing," Gibson said.

But several Jewish leaders said he must first complete his recovery program and perform acts of goodwill such as visiting Nazi death camps before they would answer Gibson's plea for help.

"We will know when the time is, but the time is certainly not when his press agents think it is," said Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center. "I certainly think he is facing his alcoholism, and now I think he needs to face the statements of bigotry and anti-Semitism the same."

The Anti-Defamation League "accepted" the apology," and National Director Abraham Foxman said when Gibson's recovery is complete, "we will be ready and willing to help him."

A spokeswoman for ABC said the network canceled development of a Holocaust miniseries because nearly two years had passed since ABC struck a deal with Gibson's production company to make it and it had not yet even seen a script.

Michael Gennaco, who heads the sheriff department's oversight board, defended the department against claims it gave Gibson favorable treatment during his arrest and in its report.

Gennaco said an initial probe showed L.A. sheriffs did not violate department policies, and added the final arrest report would include inflammatory comments made by Gibson.

That report will be made public when prosecutors present their case. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney said a date for filing formal charges had yet to be decided.

- REUTERS