The American Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has voiced concerns that Mel Gibson's new film on Jesus, 'The Passion', if released in its present form, could "fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism" by reinforcing the notion of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Christ.

The version of Gibson's film, as previewed by Rabbi Eugene Korn, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, allegedly contained a number of "troubling themes and images", which the ADL claim raises the problem of "deicide" – or Jewish complicity in the death of Jesus.

Abraham Foxman, ADL National Director, said: "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.

"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus."

"This is not a disagreement between the Jews and Mr Gibson. Many theologically informed Catholics and Protestants have expressed the same concerns regarding anti-Semitism, and that this film may undermine Christian-Jewish dialogue and could turn back the clock on decades of positive progress in interfaith relations," Rabbi Korn claimed.

(gmcg)