(2003-08-29) -- Actor-director Mel Gibson said today that he does not hold the Jews collectively responsible for disparaging his upcoming film, The Passion.

"Some have said bad things about my film and tried to prevent its distribution or discourage people from viewing it," said Mr. Gibson. "But they're a small fraction of Jews worldwide, and only a fool would blame all Jews for the actions of a few. To paraphrase the prophet Jeremiah, each man is responsible for the consequences of his own behavior."

Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Jewish Democrat, said the film about the last 12 hours of the life of Christ, "...will result in anti-Semitism and bigotry. It really takes us back to the Dark Ages ... the Inquisition, the Crusades, all for the so-called sin of the Crucifixion of Jesus."

Mr. Gibson also urged people to forgive Mr. Hikind for suggesting that crucifying an innocent man would not constitute sin.