After making controversial remarks about Israel, former White House correspondent Helen Thomas announced her retirement on Monday in a statement released by her employer, Hearst News Service.
A video started circulating on the Web last week in which Thomas said Jews should “Get the hell out of Palestine” and “go home to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else” during the American Jewish Heritage Celebration at the White House on May 27. The video instantly went viral after it was uploaded onto Youtube on June 3.
The video was released in the wake of the Gaza flotilla incident, when a group of ships with pro-Palestinian groups on board were headed toward Gaza and boarded by Israeli commandoes, leaving nine people dead.
Later, in a statement released by Thomas on her website, she said, “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.”
Thomas was a notable White House correspondent for many years before she became a columnist for Hearst News Service in 2000, according to her website. She was known for asking pointed questions in the White House briefing room.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also issued a statement today: “Helen Thomas’ comments were indefensible and the White House Correspondents Association board firmly dissociates itself from them. Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trail blazer on the White House beat. … The incident does revive the issue of whether it is appropriate for an opinion columnist to have a front row seat in the WH briefing room. That is an issue under the jurisdiction of this board.”
During a press briefing at the White House today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said of Thomas’ comments, “I think those remarks were offensive and reprehensible. … Those remarks do not reflect the opinion of…the administration.”
A video started circulating on the Web last week in which Thomas said Jews should “Get the hell out of Palestine” and “go home to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else” during the American Jewish Heritage Celebration at the White House on May 27. The video instantly went viral after it was uploaded onto Youtube on June 3.
The video was released in the wake of the Gaza flotilla incident, when a group of ships with pro-Palestinian groups on board were headed toward Gaza and boarded by Israeli commandoes, leaving nine people dead.
Later, in a statement released by Thomas on her website, she said, “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.”
Thomas was a notable White House correspondent for many years before she became a columnist for Hearst News Service in 2000, according to her website. She was known for asking pointed questions in the White House briefing room.
The White House Correspondents’ Association also issued a statement today: “Helen Thomas’ comments were indefensible and the White House Correspondents Association board firmly dissociates itself from them. Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trail blazer on the White House beat. … The incident does revive the issue of whether it is appropriate for an opinion columnist to have a front row seat in the WH briefing room. That is an issue under the jurisdiction of this board.”
During a press briefing at the White House today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said of Thomas’ comments, “I think those remarks were offensive and reprehensible. … Those remarks do not reflect the opinion of…the administration.”
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