Jews seek ban on Passion
2004-03-27 22:25
Paris - Three Jewish brothers have asked a Paris court to ban Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ, saying that it risks stirring up hatred of Jews in France.
The Benlolo brothers - Patrick, Gerard and Jean-Marc - presented their case on Friday to a Paris judge and then went together to a screening of the film with a lawyer for the movie's French distributor.
A verdict was expected on Monday, ahead of the film's scheduled opening in France on Wednesday.
The film has deeply divided religious communities in the United States. It has drawn criticism from Jewish leaders who fear it will revive the notion that Jews were responsible for death of Jesus Christ, while winning praise from some Christians for its portrayal of Christ.
The Benlolo complaint argues the film has a "false and erroneous vision of certain religious events" and will "stir anti-Jewish hatred".
France has been battling anti-Semitic violence for more than two years, often involving attacks against Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers. In March 2002, a synagogue in the nearby city of Marseille was burned to the ground.
- AP