Shas leader MK Eli Yishai has demanded that Mel Gibson's new film, "The Passion of the Christ" be banned from screening and distribution in Israel.

"It is unthinkable that a movie whose sole aim is to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Jewish people will be screened in the Jewish State. The movie repeats a blood libel from the dawn of history," the Shas leader said.

Yishai also called for the film's director to be brought to trial, and he called on the Foreign Ministry to ask Jews in the US to boycott the film.

Gibson has defended his film against charges of anti-Semitism, saying his film is about love, sacrifice and compassion. He also called anti-Semitism "a sin".

"The Passion of the Christ" opens in theatres across the US Thursday.

Another article for an opposite opinion says:

This is a partial transcript from The O'Reilly Factor, February 24, 2026 that has been edited for clarity.

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BILL O'REILLY, HOST: In the "Personal Story" segment tonight, Mel Gibson's new film "The Passion of the Christ" (search) opens on about 4,000 screens tomorrow all across the USA. You've heard about the controversy. Now let's hear about the film..

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'REILLY: Do you believe there's a physical presence of Satan in the world? Did that reflect your view?

GIBSON: Hmm. A physical presence? I think that evil pervades certain areas and comes to each of us in an individual way, in a way that it's going to best ensnare us. Firstly, it wants to make you believe that it doesn't exist. And secondly, I think when it does come, it's going to come in a magnetic form. I mean, it's not going to be holding a neon sign with steam coming out its nostrils.

O'REILLY: Yes, what temptation is?

GIBSON: Yes, sure. Yes.

O'REILLY: When you use this character, this Satan character, it's so effective in the film. And I was mesmerized by it, I have to say. I had never seen it done before in that way.

So you think people will understand the point that they're trying to get across there?

GIBSON: I hope so. I think it's kind of alarming because you think perhaps it's an angel. And then you realize that there's something wrong with it. And that's the whole idea.

O'REILLY: Yes, well you see, the insect in the nose, you realize -- it isn't an angel.

GIBSON: Sure, there's a maggot dwelling inside of her.

O'REILLY: Right.

GIBSON: And it's disturbing, but that whole idea of something wholesome, something beautiful, something like the image of motherhood, or any of these things, and that that the mask is slightly askew so that you can see something very nasty, indeed, underneath the initial facade, which may, of course, be pleasing or wholesome...

O'REILLY: Now you introduced the good character, Jesus, and the Satan character at the same time in the opening of the film in the Garden of Gethsemane (search), which signaled to me that the movie was right off the bat going to be a struggle between good and evil.

GIBSON: Sure. I mean ...

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