Ireland's Jewish community has been left deeply angered by the Irish Film and Television Awards decision to honour film star Mel Gibson.
The Hollywood star is expected in Dublin for the ceremony next Sunday -- but a leading Rabbi living in Ireland has launched a scathing attack on the decision to make the award in the light of Gibson's widely publicised anti-Semitic comments made while he was drunk.
Gibson is to receive the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the 5th Annual IFTA ceremony in Dublin later this month.
The actor-turned-director was embroiled in controversy in 2006 after he allegedly launched an anti-Semitic attack on police officers who had arrested him for driving while drunk.
"****ing Jews . . . Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," Gibson was reported as saying, before asking one of the officers if he was a Jew.
Speaking shortly after IFTA's announcement, the Rabbi, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke of his anger at the decision.
"We find it very puzzling. He has made blatant anti-Semitic remarks and you'd think they'd give him a miss this year. It is quite surprising. An Irish organisation is giving this award? Obviously they need to educate themselves about what he said.
"It's not just anti-Semitism, if someone is involved with racist remarks or sectarian remarks they shouldn't be receiving awards. It's very strange. I think they should reconsider their decision. This is someone who is obviously a very famous figure, making very public remarks involving racism; they shouldn't be receiving public accolades and awards."
The Rabbi went on to say: "Maybe they could have a look at the actual text. See the harm and the pain that he has caused and reassess their decision."
Meanwhile, the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism has become embroiled in the controversy after it emerged that it has been named as an official partner of the ceremony at the Gaiety theatre in Dublin next Sunday, February 17.
The recent comments from members of the Jewish community may cause some embarrassment to the department only months after it funded an inquiry, to the tune of an estimated €150,000, into allegations that paintings looted by the Nazis were on display in the Limerick Hunt Museum.
"This department provides broad support for those involved in the making of film and television productions in Ireland because of the jobs created, the acting and technical talent employed, and the economic and cultural benefits to the country of a strong and vibrant film industry. Individual awards are a matter for the various organisations involved and are outside the remit of the department," said a spokesman.
"It is an independent organisation. It does not receive any direct funding from the department and we have no involvement in the decision-making process for the awards ceremony."
Meanwhile, speaking about its decision to award Gibson, Aine Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Film & Television Academy said: "The Academy holds Mr Gibson's film achievements in the highest regard. His drive, vision and determination have inspired so many young Irish filmmakers over the past three decades who have followed his creative journey in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera."
However, the academy was unavailable to comment on the recent condemnation of Gibson's award.
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