Aug. 1 (Bloomberg) -- ABC canceled a contract with Mel Gibson's production company for a miniseries on the Holocaust after the actor made anti-Semitic remarks during his July 28 arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.

Gibson, who was pulled over by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy in Malibu, California, apologized for his comments, admitted to suffering from alcoholism and voluntarily entered a treatment center.

ABC, a unit of Walt Disney Co., dropped the miniseries it was developing with Gibson's Icon Productions about Flory A. Van Beek, a Dutch Jew who survived World War II.

``Given that it's been nearly two years and we have yet to see the first draft of a script, we have decided to no longer pursue this project with Icon,'' said ABC spokeswoman Hope C. Hartman in a statement. She wouldn't comment further or say whether the decision was related to Gibson's remarks.

Alan Nierob, Gibson's spokesman, didn't immediately respond to a telephone message left at his office in West Hollywood, California, seeking comment. Icon Productions referred calls to Nierob.

Gibson today issued an apology to the Jewish community for his ``vitriolic and harmful words'' and asked to meet with Jewish community leaders.

``This is not about a film,'' Gibson said in the statement. ``This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have. It's about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad.''

`Incredibly Disappointing'

Prominent Jewish Hollywood executives have expressed anger over Gibson's comments. Sony Pictures Chairwoman Amy Pascal told the Los Angeles Times the incident was ``incredibly disappointing.'' Laura Ziskin, a producer of the ``Spider-Man'' films, told the newspaper Gibson's actions were ``appalling.''

Disney still plans to release Gibson's latest film, the Mayan epic ``Apocalypto,'' on Dec. 8. Oren Aviv, head of live- action development and film production at Walt Disney Pictures, defended Gibson yesterday in a Slate magazine story.

``I've worked with Mel on several films over the years and we have a great relationship,'' he told the online magazine. ``We all make mistakes and I've accepted his apology to what was a regrettable situation. I wish him the very best on his path to recovery.''

Disney shares fell 34 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $29.35 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained 22 percent this year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andy Fixmer in Los Angeles at afixmer@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 1, 2006 16:49 EDT