Showbiz
Mel Gibson admits anti-Semitic remarks
Published Wednesday, Aug 2 2006, 14:15 BST | By Miriam Zendle
Mel Gibson has admitted making anti-Semitic remarks when he was arrested for drink-driving last week, but says he is not a bigot.
The 50-year-old, who admits he has struggled with alcoholism all his adult life, was originally brought in by police in Malibu for driving under the influence. Although earlier reports did not make any mention of the incident, Gibson owned up after entertainment website TMZ published parts of the original police report into his arrest.
Gibson's statement explained: "There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. Please know from my heart I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith."
The What Women Want star, whose father is said to be a white supremacist, has also asked to meet with leaders of the Jewish community in Malibu to help him "discern the appropriate path for healing".
The 50-year-old, who admits he has struggled with alcoholism all his adult life, was originally brought in by police in Malibu for driving under the influence. Although earlier reports did not make any mention of the incident, Gibson owned up after entertainment website TMZ published parts of the original police report into his arrest.
Gibson's statement explained: "There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. Please know from my heart I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith."
The What Women Want star, whose father is said to be a white supremacist, has also asked to meet with leaders of the Jewish community in Malibu to help him "discern the appropriate path for healing".
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