Page "The Passion of the Christ" Paragraph 81

Conservative columnist Cal Thomas also tried to dispel the allegations of anti-Semitism, saying " To those in the Jewish community who worry that the film ... might contain anti-Semitic elements, or encourage people to persecute Jews, fear not.

The film does not indict Jews for the death of Jesus.

" Two Orthodox Jews, Rabbi Daniel Lapin and conservative talk-show host and author Michael Medved, also vocally rejected claims that the film is anti-Semitic.

They have noted the film's many sympathetic portrayals of Jews: Simon of Cyrene ( who helps Jesus carry the cross ), Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. John, Veronica ( who wipes Jesus ' face and offers him water ), and several Jewish priests who protest Jesus ' arrest during Caiaphas's trial of Jesus.