ADL accepts Oliver Stone apology over Holocaust, U.S. Jews remarks
In second attempt at easing the backlash of his comments earlier this week, Hollywood director says he is categorically opposed to anti-Semitism.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Israel news Jewish World US JewsThe Anti-Defamation League accepted on Wednesday Oliver Stone's second apology over remarks he made in an interview to the Sunday Times earlier this week, in which he spoke out against what he saw as the negative influence of U.S. Jews on Washington's foreign policy.
On Sunday, the famed Hollywood director told the Times of London that Jewish control of the media was preventing an open discussion of the Holocaust, adding that the U.S. Jewish lobby has been controlling Washington's foreign policy for years.
"I do agree that it was wrong of me to say that Israel or the pro-Israel lobby is to blame for America’s flawed foreign policy," Stone said in a statement released on Wednesday, adding that his comment was "not true and I apologize that my inappropriately glib remark has played into that negative stereotype."
Stone added that he was "categorically opposed to anti-Semitism - and all other racist ideologies."
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Oliver Stone |
| Photo by: AP |
The ADL responded with satisfaction to the director's second attempt at an apology, with director Abraham H. Foxman saying he believed Stone "now understands the issues and where he was wrong, and this puts an end to the matter.”
Stone's apology came after a first attempt to appease the maelstrom was considered "insufficient" by Foxman.
In the first apology statement, Stone added that he did not believe that Jews control the media, or any other industry, and that the fact that the Holocaust was still an important and current topic is actually a great achievement and a credit to those committed to perpetuating the memory of the atrocities committed during that period.
That first statement by Stone, however, was found unsatisfactory by Foxman, who said that "while [Stone] now admits that Jews do not control Hollywood, the media and other industries, he ignores his assertion that Jews are '...the most powerful lobby in Washington' and that 'Israel has f***** up United States foreign policy.' This is another conspiratorial anti-Semitic canard that Mr. Stone needs to repudiate."
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I don't find it to be racist to make what is an accurate observation based solely on the #'s. Does anyone here deny that the % of Jews in high places in USGov/media/Hollywood is much higher than the % of Jews in the US population - thus there exists disproportionate Jewish influence in these areas. Please tell me what makes this statement racist. It simply is what it is. The 'anti-semitism' card is being played so often these days that when there really is an act of anti-semitism, nobody is going to care any more (much like the boy who cried wolf).
This article, among several others, is simply outrageous. "Anti-semitic" is a word used solely to demonize others. And according to the ADL's definition of the word, Stone's comments were NOT anti-Semitic, not to mention the fact that if you actually look at Hollywood actors and producers, Jews DO account for at least 50% of media power... not to mention the Israel comments are not "anti-Semitic canards". You can't use the word to suit your own agenda.
His actions show his values. If his friends are Ahmadinejad & Co, then you know the fruit.
God bless you oliver
I think that the fact that Stone was forced to apologize is proof of the truth of he was saying!!!
I wonder why he changed his mind and apologized within 24 hours! Do you really think he means his apology? Or do you think he just could bear the pressure of Jewish lobby in US?
Astonishing - or as sad - as it may seem, Oliver Stone's father Lou, is Jewish.
Oliver_Stone's father was Jewish and his mother a Roman Catholic of French birth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Stone But this did not help him, did it?
Whether Abe Foxman accepts Oliver Stone's apology is utterly irrelevant. He speaks for no one but himself. It's ridiculous the way Haaretz presumes some non-existent standing.
Why do people bend over backwards to the Zionist lobbies/bullies? What happened to freedom of speech? There was nothing wrong with what he said.
Does anybody think that Stone is sincere. Of course he apologizes, after all of the pressure and controversy .Remember, freedom of speech means that you're anti-semitic.
The correct statement would have been: American Zionists control most of the mainstream U.S. TV networks, and thereby influence and shape public opinion and foreign policy there, especially when it comes to matters concerning the Middle East..... Influencing public opinion in a rather improper way (by regularly "filtering" the news for the average U.S. TV consumer), I would like to add.....
An intellectual heavyweight he is not. I guess there's no real apology for stupidity, only for saying stupid things. Hs problem is the former, not the latter.See, for example, JFK. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Stone is squirming out of statements which reflect his true feelings, simply because he realizes the price is too high for openly standing by them. He is a creep, and an anti- Semite .
With all the crap that comes out of Hollywood, who WOULD want to admit that they control it?
am i blind ?
It is sad to see the jewish lobby has put pressure on him to take back his words. He just told a fact that most of the world believes. Where is the freedom of speech?
Let's see. There are five or six Hollywood Directors left, that make anything worth seeing more than once. I would rank them this way. I'd say Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Oliver Stone, Jon Landis, and James Cameron. Mel Brooks is in his own category. Any of their movies you can watch over and over again and they don't get old. They're always good. I miss the great directors like John Huston, Sidney Pollack, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick, and Frank Capra. At least we still have their films left to enjoy.
Fir zstonr to say he is categorically opposed to anti-semitism and not even recognize his own blatant "elders of Zion" canard speaks volumes. Thsnks Oliver Stone. You need to takr a good look in the mirrof. Perhsps a conversation with Dershowitz on what condtitutes anti-semitism is in order. I liked yout work. I now see you as a farce.
stone is a low life anti semite and foxman may accept his apology but i sure dont .. this guy has shot his mouth off defending hitler too many times .. when will foxman get a back bone .. and for stone's pr company .. RUBINSTEIN .. he can go rot in hell for not firing the guy. At least Ari Emanual had the courage to dump Gibson after his racist rant .. but not foxman, he is a liberal suck up and forgiver of jewish hate..
Judaism informs us that no one can accept an apology for another. If you wrong someone you owe THAT PERSON your apology. Foxman cannot "accept" these false words for anyone but himself. As for me, I do not / will not accept Stone's new found "contrition." He's got 12 million individual apologies yet to make. May he choke on each one.
Now we need an apology for every stupid thing said by every Joe Blow who say's it? Stop crying Wolf! Let's spend the ADL energy when it's needed. The Jewish Holocaust happened. Let them debate the numbers and methods for years to come. This is NOT the point of why we remember....or does the ADL think it should be about numbers and methods? 6 million - 5 million - 10 million - WE ARE NOT NUMBERS!
I'm reminded of a scene in "Road to Perdition" where the errant son of a crime boss offers a pro forma "apology" for killing an associate without cause. "You apologize? Try again," says the boss. And again the son goes through the motions, and all know he still doesn't mean it. Wack! "Try again." Stone still doesn't get it. He was not just wrong in what he said, but wrong in that he still, in his heart, still believes his crap. Foxman may accept his apology, but I don't.
Oiliver Stoner is an drug addict, he had admitted the use of illegal and " legal'drugs in the past. To ask from a drug addict, to be objective and responcible is kind of stupid. Oiliver Stoner need to be rediculed and exposed as a drug addict.
He is a scum-bag, Jews and decent people all over the world should never pay a penny to see his film/should not watch his films for free on TV or online forever and ever.
Too late, for an apology. I wonder , what did he trigg him to say a moronic thought,? Time and again one by one , the antisemitic haters are revealing themselves. They put themselves in the furnace of global shame and outrage situation. Poor little brain , the "STONEHEGDE pariah.
And this Mr Foxman is going much to far
Welcome to spook central! Only the ignorant can play.
Instant apoligies are social dictates, seldom more that that.
and ain't shy to show every glittering speck of "coloraturo"...
One of the best directors in Hollycrap, but not a historian: great talent with little education. Also a smart businessman - got a great deal of publicity as the super-idiot Foxman took the bait.
"the fact that the Holocaust was still an important and current topic is actually a great achievement and a credit to those committed to perpetuating the memory of the atrocities committed during that period. " So Mr Stone refers to The Holocaust as a 'topic'. A 'topic'!!! What a shocking insult to the memory of six million innocents who persished in the Hitlerite gas chambers! Sone should apologise IMMEDIATELY!!!
What about the gypsies, homosexuals, Poles, etc etc? About a million and a half gypsies perished. Most people don't even know that. There is a powerful lobby who doesn't allow the world to forget about the Jews and the others are never mentioned.
Why do the Jews get all the apologies? Us forgotten Christians need apologies for all the wrongs and slights done to us! We need a CDL (Christian Defamation League) to look out for us. The CDL would have a Foxman like leader to hunt out out and punish any anti Christian comments and behavior! I just know there are plenty of Jews and Muslims out there making racist comments about us!
every time someone says something like that, someone like abe steps up to prove they are right... "Oliver Stone's apology stops short and is therefore insufficient," Foxman said. "I want him to grovel before me for daring to say Jews control the media, or he'll never work in this town again!!!!"
I saw him recently on HBO on the Bill Maher Show, it's a weekly show on politics that is off for the summer break. He clearly is a Pal supporter...which is his right...and of course recites all the false propaganda from the Palestinian Pallywood machine. During his appearance, of course he made some false remarks about Israel, Bill Maher refuted the comments, and cut him off in disgust. So I'm not surprised by his latest remarks. I know he has traveled to Ramallah, and given the Pal tour of all that's bad with Israel. The problem is when you take the situation out of context, only look at what appears to be maltreatment, without seeing first hand why it came to that ( like seeing a man chained up and beaten, without knowing he killed 6 people 10 minutes ago), it simply gives a bias and false impression. Now though, he appears to have upped the ante. As is typical Jewish people are criticized for being outraged. Yet these same people...who attack Jews for their outrage at the remarks... started riots that killed dozens worldwide, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LIKE SOME CARTOONS. Talk about hypocrisy, you guys and gals who love to attack Israel didn't didn't say crap about that, DID YOU? That is the difference the Jewish people discuss their disagreements with their opponents, but Muslims murder the people they disagree with, and typically, these same people(anti-Israel writers) just excuse those actions.
Imagine Stone saying: 1. I said that Jews are "the most powerful lobby in Washington”. I was wrong, I should have said "AIPAC is the SECOND most powerful lobby in Washington (after AARP for the retired)". 2. I said that “Israel has f***** up United States foreign policy.” I was wrong. I should have said "The Jewish Lobby has f***** up United States foreign policy IN THE MIDDLE EAST.” I sincerely apologize for these errors and promise never to be that imprecise again. Would this be acceptable to the ADL?
I whish you did make one nice movie though. I like nice movies. Ever saw Tarkovski, "Andrei Rubliov". It has a few lines devoted to people who hated Russians. Some of them Russians, others foreigners. Hard to say who is more cruel. But they are all gone, we all will be. The only thing that is left behind is Anrei Rubliov's love. His icons, western rich people ready to pay millions of dollars to cradel in hands. So will be the fate of Oliver Stone. Don't mess with real people. They have something that make guys like you fly into the wall by loking at them.
Who, then, is the most powerful lobby in the US? Didn't over 300 congressmen sign a letter declaring unconditional support for Israel despite all of the illegal settlements, sale of military secrets to other countries, stolen nuclear material, the USS Liberty, etc?
Catholic base is mainly in Northeast and Southwest, Protestants control old south,Midwest and Northwest but split into subgroups, while Jewish base around New York City area and Florida. AARP, NRA, Sierra club and RIAA while powerful only focus on their core issues most the time. The Jewish group and Christian group usually unite on foreign policy where Muslims are concern, with Jewish group taking the lead, while Christians work behind the scenes.
Who runs Hollywood? C'mon December 19, 2008 | JOEL STEIN http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec/19/opinion/oe-stein19 "I have never been so upset by a poll in my life. Only 22% of Americans now believe "the movie and television industries are pretty much run by Jews," down from nearly 50% in 1964. The Anti-Defamation League, which released the poll results last month, sees in these numbers a victory against stereotyping. Actually, it just shows how dumb America has gotten. Jews totally run Hollywood. Advertisement How deeply Jewish is Hollywood? When the studio chiefs took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times a few weeks ago to demand that the Screen Actors Guild settle its contract, the open letter was signed by: News Corp. President Peter Chernin (Jewish), Paramount Pictures Chairman Brad Grey (Jewish), Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger (Jewish), Sony Pictures Chairman Michael Lynton (surprise, Dutch Jew), Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer (Jewish), CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves (so Jewish his great uncle was the first prime minister of Israel), MGM Chairman Harry Sloan (Jewish) and NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker (mega-Jewish). If either of the Weinstein brothers had signed, this group would have not only the power to shut down all film production but to form a minyan with enough Fiji water on hand to fill a mikvah. As a proud Jew, I want America to know about our accomplishment. Yes, we control Hollywood. Without us, you'd be flipping between "The 700 Club" and "Davey and Goliath" on TV all day."
It's like saying women control the media. Do they all have the same opinion on every issue? Hardly. So why should it matter?
I think you ought to send this confirmation to Foxman furthermore, given these facts, demand he apologize to Stone and the rest of us for thinking we are as stupid as he is..Foxman that is..
ok now put it into context how many top people in major orgamisations are catholic or protestant .I think you will easilly find that the real power in this world is wielded by catholics and protestants the stats say it all.I have stated before Jews ar such a small minority that we are in control of very little and in most cases do not wish to be in control.We just want to live in peace.
When people make the statement that "Jews control Hollywood", it's not that they are pointing out that there are many Jewish CEOs in the industry. There is a clear deeper implication within. They are implying that the Jews are colluding and working together for their own agenda and against interests of non-Jews, akin to the protocols of the Elders of Zion. The purpose of alleging Jewish control is to imply a Jewish conspiracy. Just because there are many Jews in the upper echelons of media doesn't mean anything more than Jews happen be historically successful in said industry.
Your biggest accomplishment will be to recognize the humanity of the Palestinian people and put this conflict to rest so that everyone can breathe a little easier. Enough of this arrogance! It is NOT attractive at all.
no, it is not like saying "women control the media". women make over 50% of the american population , while jews are less then 2 %. like many "jew-critical" people, you have no sense of rationality
plus it is very convenient to blame them should anything go wrong. just say that they control "the banks; the government and the media", then every single crisis and every misachievemnt can be attributed to the jews.
the promotional value of antisemitic remarks, after a huge number of commercial flops and the strange feeling, people are beginning to forget him. Other people, of better taste and decency get their pants down in front of the camera to get the required attention. He lacks the fantasy for such an act. And I suppose, there are not enough people interested to see his...
Maybe Mr. Stone should publicly disembowel himself on Fox News. Would that be enough for Mr. Foxman?
Wonderfful idea and you could also do the same...Problem is the enormous polution this would cause,with all the escatol you two carry in your bowels and your heads...
Maybe we aren't giving old Ollie enough credit. Think about it! By saying what he did about Jewish control of the media, only to then retract and apologise within 24Hrs?? Hmmm, I wonder, is this Ollie's way of saying "see, I told you so"? Well, I did say maybe...
And when someone uses the "N-word," in public, you don't think African Americans come out with condemning them with full force? What about losing your job for referring to female basketball players as "Nappy Headed Ho's." Did that prove that the Blacks control the media?
We don't give them enough credit for promoting themselves by using the free media. It's doesn't take much to make a scene in public as a celebrity to get in the news. It also doesn't take much to say Jew, Jewish, Holocaust in the media and not get larger media attention accompanied by a call from the ADL. Or maybe I am wrong and they are both just stupid.
Which is what this headline grab was all about
I disagree categorically wih every comment Stone made. It proves what a fool he is. As the son of Jewish stockbroker he should have realized how quick he and his family would have been exterminated in the shoah. However, who made Abe Foxman the pope of anti-semitism giving hechsher, condemnation and forgiveness at his ideolgical whim. Each of us will determine on our own whether Stone has made sufficient tshuva and likely his remarks in the Sunday times will forever discredit much of what he says in the future. But Abe you are not my rebbe
He is a hater no matter how he apologizes..Dont go to his movies and put him out of business...
people are painting stone as a hitler sympathizer. this is simply not the case. all he did was point out that a ton of people in western europe and the states supported him, a fact that has been scrubbed from the history books to make us look like "the good guys". yeah we all learn about hitler's underlings, but how many schoolbooks point out that henry ford, great american entrepreneur, was just as enthusiastic for his plans? and foxman, we DO control the media and you know it. that isn't debatable and i don't see it as a bad thing.
thats too much fuss now. this cóntinous pressurizing of this man will only focus the attention on his person, and he is not that important stone should go to the arabs then next time he looks for a producer. lets see how it works. lol being jewish, it always puts a smirk on my face when i read how people believe that we , a relatively small group of people, control the media , the banks and god knows what. almost flattering.
even more bizarre it is when Jews like Mr. Foxman attempt to counter the notion that Jews control the media as anti-Semitic -- by trying to control what can and what cannot be said in the media. Hello?!
When a minority has a prejudiced slur raised against it by a public figure, and that minority makes an issue of pointing it out, this idiot blames the minority -- but only the JEWISH minority.
hello? jews do not control the media just as they do not own the banks.they don't own a bank like goldman-sachs ( though the founders were jewish) and rupert murdoch is not jewish despite of what u might think. mr. foxman gives this man too much attention. and yes, there is a difference between free speech and lies or stupid slander.
Denying Holocaust is a crime! can u all beieve this? talk about Power and control over the world. stone is crazy to had said that...he is a dead man...proving his point...hell he is a deadman. wonder why?
where did he say that? or are you just lying, as always?
About 65 Stone's totally inappropriate remarks most likely reflect the early cognitive decline of Alzheimer's. As Jewish Civilization is the organizing philosophical force behind the shaping of Western Civilization, not surprising as a cultured cosmopolitan mind declines the unfortunate victim's unresolved issues and conflicts are projected onto to us. Another recently example is the brilliant British children's books author Roald Dahl became quite anti-Semitic in his dotage.
he has continuing hatred and anti semitism. I m not an MD and I can easily diagnosis him.
'As Jewish Civilization is the organizing philosophical force behind the shaping of Western Civilization...' That's a gross exaggeration.
...does that make him a self hating Jew like Hitler who had a Jewish grandfather??
Oliver Stone and Abe Foxman can settle this on the beach at dawn with shotguns. I can't imagine a displeasing outcome. Well, they could both miss, I suppose.
No apology could undo the harm to the Jewish people by Oliver Stone's ignorant remarks. Any retraction would simply be fodder for anti-semites to claim the retraction is a result and proof of pressure from powerful Jewish forces in Hollywood and places of power. The anti-semites would claim that if the Jews can keep Stone from telling the "truth", then that is even greater proof of Jewish control. When it comes to anti-semites, they'll grab at anything and turn it around to fit with their hateful ideology. Thanks Mr. Stone. Why don't you think before you speak the next time? Better still, why don't you let someone more intelligent and in touch with the facts do your thinking for you on topics of importance.
There are hatefule things being said everyday about every religion or nationality. We Jews must stop being so sensitive. If comments slide by they are forgotten quickly. Only if we make a federal case over them they get more news coverage than they deserve. In Mr. Stone's business in Hollywood his betters will deal him a blow he won't soon forget.
Please explain the part that was not true according to you > For my study > Thanks !
"No apology could undo the harm to the Jewish people by Oliver Stone's ignorant remarks." How presumptuous! As if you're some spoiled child that needs to be told how great you are at all times and praised constantly. The moment somebody comes along and offers the slightest criticism, you throw a tantrum like a child.
The entire statement was untrue. Prove otherwise.
You might begin with reading the book, "The Deadliest Lies" by Abraham Foxman published in 2007. Throughout times, societies have used Jews as scapegoats. Rather than accepting their own failed actions or policies, they blame the Jews for making these decisions using the lie that Jews control the media and government so as to supplant that country's national will. Hitler, among others, used Jews are scapegoats. It's not hard for any thinking person to understand why we are prone to react to such deadly lies. It's not a product of being sensitive to criticism. It's a matter of survival. We are not spoiled children (your infantile reasoning. Rather, you, sir/madan, are a simple child.
it's quite possible to disagree with both Mr. Stone's assertion that Jews control the media, and Mr. Foxman's reaction to this statement.
An extract for the perusal of the all JEW HATERS who's defense of Stone's opinions as Truth should read the Gibson's latest offering of TRUTH."I need a woman. Not a f--king little girl with a f--king dysfunctional c--t. I don't need medication. You need a bat to the side of the head," he replies. Yeah THREE cheers for MEL who tells it like it is. Oliver Stone, I sincerely hope will regret what he said and I dearly wish that JEWS had the power he claims they do.
I don't think anyone should hold their breath for a sincere apology from Oliver Stone. Its good that the ADL chief has made it clear that Stone hasn't addressed the more damaging comments he made. But I think Stone would be more likely to have a close dialogue with the president of Iran.
Half of what he said amounted to "I was right, but I'm going to make it sound like a compliment". What a nasty little man!!
Foxman is just a professional grievance collector, fondling every hurt he can find. Why not simply accept an apology given and move on? It's just that sort of pleasure some folks get from grievances that keeps thing roiling in he Middle East.
No apology can change what Stone is- an arrogant re-writer of history- an anti-Semitic hypocrite. Neither he nor his 'apology' should be accepted. Some things must not be overlooked!
The ADL, once an honorable organization, now the hobby horse of it's leader; has chosen to help Oliver Stone promote his new movie.
Nice Satire!!, what a shame that that so many can not take the truth.
that he goes to the lowest common denominator, like Cuba and Libya. Nah Benny he is just a sick , miserable, Jew hater who got his arse handed o him. Ollie baby when your in Hollywood don't let the door hit you on our way out
Boycott Oliver Stone. Do not finance his movies. We will give him a good reason to be antisemite.
O.Stone aacted as a scoundrel when he made his anti-jewish statement. He will remain a scoundrel... even after apology. (as well as M.Gibson)
that is why we, Jew and non-Jew hope that people reflect on past thoughts and actions, and indeed why the study of the Holocaust is important. Because we believe people have the ability to change. And so the public discussion with Mr. Stone is not about the power of the Jews but about the hope that he actually reflected on the statements he made. Whether he is sincere or not is a process of hope, not something to be held against him. We, Jews and non-Jews can all do better to be smarter, better, kinder people.
Ditto.