Date: 22nd March 2004

Gibson sets sights on Old Testament


Mel Gibson, who was accused of anti-semitism over The Passion of the Christ, may make a movie of the origins of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday.

Gibson told US radio stations that he'd like to make a film about the Jewish rebellion against the Syrian Greeks in 165BC.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory by the rebels known as the Maccabees who recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Gibson said: "The Maccabees family stood up, and they made war. They stuck by their guns and they came out winning. It's like a Western."

Anti-Defamation League national director Abe Foxman was not pleased with Gibson's interest in Jewish history.

"My answer would be 'thanks but no thanks'," he said. "The last thing we need in Jewish history is to convert our history into a Western. In his hands we may wind up losing."

Source: Press Release