Actor-filmmaker Mel Gibson has opened up about his notorious 2006 comments about Jewish people, claiming that he has “never discriminated against anyone”.
Gibson was arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence and a police transcript recorded a number of anti-semitic statements, including his belief that “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world”.
“It was an unfortunate incident,” Gibson said on variety.com’s “Playback” podcast.
“I was loaded and angry and arrested. I was recorded illegally by an unscrupulous police officer who was never prosecuted for that crime. And then it was made public by him for profit, and by members of — we’ll call it the press.
“So, not fair. I guess as who I am, I’m not allowed to have a nervous breakdown, ever,” he added.
Gibson acknowledged that he had already apologised for the behaviour and people should move on from the incident.
“Ten years have gone by. I’m feeling good. I’m sober, all of that kind of stuff, and for me it’s a dim thing in the past,” he said.
He also said he doesn’t consider himself a hateful person, and his actions were a result of the copious amount of alcohol he consumed on that night.
“I’ve never discriminated against anyone or done anything that sort of supports that reputation,” he said.
“And for one episode in the back of a police car on eight double tequilas to sort of dictate all the work, life’s work and beliefs and everything else that I have and maintain for my life is really unfair,” he added.
