Obama: Thomas remarks 'offensive'
By JPOST.COM STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAST UPDATED: 06/08/2010 16:49
US president says veteran correspondent's retirement "right decision."
Obama and Thomas in the White House in 2009. Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
US President Barack Obama said Tuesday he considers veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas's remarks about Israel "offensive."
Asked during an interview with NBC about Thomas' comments urging Jews to get "the hell out of Palestine," Obama said he believes those statements were "out of line." At the same time, he said he recognized Thomas' long service covering presidents dating back to John F. Kennedy.
He said it was a "shame" that her career ended in controversy, but called Thomas's retirement announcement "the right decision."
RELATED:Helen Thomas retires after Israel remarkAn open letter to Helen ThomasTrue Colors
The
89-year-old Thomas, dean of the White House press corps, left amid
a brewing controversy over remarks she made about Israel and
Palestinians.
Thomas, known for her confrontational questioning, apologized for
comments that were captured on video and have spread widely on the
Internet. On the May 27 video, Thomas suggested that Jews should go
to Germany, Poland or the US.