World Jewish News

Veteran White House reporter quits after anti-Semitic outburst

Veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas yesterday resigned from her position with Hearst Newspapers, following the wave of criticism triggered by her recent declaration that "Jews should get the hell out of Palestine."
The Obama administration yesterday called Thomas' remarks "offensive and reprehensible."
Jewish groups and former friends of Thomas denounced her comments, while a Washington-area high school canceled its invitation for her to speak at its graduation ceremony.
Thomas, who joined Hearst Newspapers as a columnist in 2000, has apologized for comments captured on video by an interviewer for the Website www.rabbilive.com. On the May 27 video, Thomas says Israelis should "get the hell out of Palestine," suggesting they "go back to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else."
The seat reserved for Thomas in the front row of the White House press room remained empty at the daily briefing session yesterday, as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked to comment on her comments.
Gibbs said Thomas' remarks "do not reflect certainly the opinion of most of the people here and certainly not of the administration."
Thomas, the most veteran White House correspondent, issued an apology on her Website on Friday for her comments.
"I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians," Thomas wrote on her site. "They do not reflect my heart-felt 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."
The national director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abraham H. Foxman, said Sunday that Thomas' apology did not go far enough.
"Her suggestion that Israelis should go back to Poland and Germany is bigoted and shows a profound ignorance of history," Foxman said in a statement. "We believe Thomas needs to make a more forceful and sincere apology for the pain her remarks have caused."
Lanny Davis, the former White House Counsel for Bill Clinton, called Thomas an "an anti-Semitic bigot."
"Helen Thomas, who I used to consider a close friend and who I used to respect, has showed herself to be an anti-Semitic bigot," Davis said in a statement.
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said the Hearst Corporation should fire her, the Huffington Post reported.
"She should lose her job over this. As someone who is Jewish, and as someone who worked with her and used to like her, I find this appalling," Fleischer said.

By Natasha Mozgovaya

Haaretz.com