DUSSELDORF – The head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany has denounced Mel Gibson’s controversial blockbuster “The Passion of Christ”, calling it dangerously anti-Semitic.

Emerging from a screening of the movie in Germany, where it has not yet been released, Jewish Council head Paul Spiegel said, “Unfortunately, the film perpetuates anti-Jewish clichés to the effect that the Jews murdered Jesus.”

He told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, “I had hoped that these clichés would have dissipated after decades of ecumenical discussion.”

The film is set for release in Germany 18 March.

“I fear that persons disposed to the attitude could easily construe it as anti-Semitic,” said Spiegel, who represents some 100,000 Jews in Germany.

“At any rate, I found the gruesome depiction of the crucifixion to be extraordinarily violent,” he added. “For the life of me, I can’t see what the intention is behind this film.”

DPA
Subject: German News