HOLLYWOOD - Tens of thousands of Jews across America showed their displeasure over Mel Gibson's anti-Jewish, drunken tirade last week by returning their DVD copies of "The Passion of the Christ."
Following the premiere of "The Passion" in 2004, Gibson instantly became the darling of the Jewish community, feted in synagogues across America. All that changed last Friday morning when he was arrested for drunk driving in Hollywood and spewed anti-Jewish commentary to the arresting officers.
Hertel Mendelbaum's reaction is typical of the Jewish community in Beverly Hills: "I loved the movie, and I've watched it over a hundred times. But I can't bear to watch it again in light of what he said."
Rabbi Yosef Green of Hollywood is in shock. "Mr. Gibson has betrayed us. We adored his movie and welcomed him into our temples, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Now we're going to get to Mr. Gibson where it hurts -- in the wallet. I call on Jews around the world to return their DVDs of "The Passion."
