White House reporter quits after Israel remarks

WASHINGTON - Long-time White House journalist Helen Thomas retired Monday following controversial remarks about Israel that sparked widespread outrage.

Thomas, 89, has retired effective immediately, her employer Hearst News Services announced, ending a career of White House coverage that spanned decades.

“Her decision came after her controversial comments about Israel and the Palestinians were captured on videotape and widely disseminated on the internet,” Hearst said.

Thomas, while attending a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration May 27 at the White House, was videotaped saying that it was time for the Israelis to “get the hell out of Palestine”.

“Remember these people are occupied and it’s their land,” Thomas said in a brief interview with the website RabbiLIVE.com. The remarks were posted on the website and quickly spread on the internet.

Thomas said Jews should leave Israel and go back to Germany, Poland or the US.

The comments drew a sharp rebuke from the White House and Jewish organisations.

“Those remarks were offensive and reprehensible,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said before the retirement announcement. “I think she should and has apologised.”

Thomas issued a statement on her website Friday apologising for the remarks.

“I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians,” she said. “They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognise the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon.”

Thomas had been covering the White House since 1961 first for United Press International before becoming a columnist for Hearst Newspapers 10 years ago.