CNN reported yesterday that Helen Thomas, dean of the White House press corps, is under fire for anti-Semitic remarks she made in an interview (YouTube) with RabbiLIVE at the May 27 American Jewish Heritage Month reception at the White House. After saying that "Israel should get the hell out of Palestine," Thomas was asked where the Jews in Israel should go. She responded: "They should go home," which she elaborated meant to "Poland, Germany . . . and America and everywhere else." Thomas posted an apology on her website Friday saying she deeply regretted her comments. Ari Fleischer, press secretary to President George W. Bush, called on Hearst Corp. to fire Thomas for her comments. Lanny Davis former special counsel to President Bill Clinton called for removal of Thomas' White House press credentials, or at least her privileged seat at news conferences. Thomas' agent Nine Speakers, Inc. dropped her as a client on Sunday.
UPDATE: On June 7, Helen Thomas announced her retirement as a columnist for the Hearst News Service. (AP).
