HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- After finally viewing Mel Gibson's extremely controversial film "The Passion," the Anti-Defamation League has found the movie to be offensive to Jewish people.
The film -- produced, directed and privately financed by Gibson -- focuses on the last hours in the life of Jesus Christ.
ADL officials, who watched the movie during a private screening last week in Houston, issued a statement Monday, warning the film in its present form "will fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism."
Gibson's press representative told the Hollywood Reporter, "Mel's interest is just the opposite ... this film is about love, hope, faith and forgiveness."
But ADL National Director Abraham Foxman told the Reporter: "The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus.
"We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, will fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate."
