Paris, France, Mar 30, 2004 / 22:00 pm
A Paris court yesterday quashed a bid by three Jewish brothers to have Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of The Christ" banned in France, reported Reuters.
The court said Patrick, Jean-Marc and Gerard Benlolo had not proven the film would incite anti-Semitism. France has been dealing with an increase in violence and vandalism against Jews for the past three years.
The Benlolo brothers’ case, heard March 26, is the first attempt anywhere to ban the film.
In her ruling, Judge Florence Lagemi said the film “is a very realistic adaptation of the final hours of Christ's life” and it “cannot be considered an incitement to hatred and violence against Jews or an affront to their dignity and security."
"Making Jesus's death the main motive for anti-Semitism and age-old persecutions of Jews would amount to a narrow and simplistic view of Mel Gibson's film," the ruling said.
The film is scheduled for release in France tomorrow.
The brothers have said they plan to appeal the ruling, reported Reuters.