Mel Gibson apologizes again for hateful words

LOS ANGELES — Mel Gibson said Tuesday he is not a bigot and apologized to "everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words" he used when he was arrested for investigation of drunken driving.

"I'm not just asking for forgiveness," Gibson said a statement released through publicist Alan Nierob. "I would like to take it one step further and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing."

It was the second apology the Academy-Award winner has issued since his arrest.

Gibson said he's "in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display" and hopes members of the Jewish community will help him in his recovery efforts.

Gibson was pulled over for speeding early Friday in Malibu and arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released several hours later after posting $5,000 bail.

A law-enforcement official quoted Gibson as saying, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asking the arresting officer, "Are you a Jew?"

"There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark," Gibson said Tuesday.

Some Jewish leaders welcomed his new statement.

"We are glad that Mel Gibson has finally owned up to the fact that he made anti-Semitic remarks, and his apology sounds sincere. We welcome his efforts to repair the damage he has caused," said Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.