June 7, 2010 11:23 AM

White House: Helen Thomas' Remarks "Offensive and Reprehensible"

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
In The News ,
White House
Helen Thomas (Credit: CBS/ AP)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today that journalist Helen Thomas' recent remarks about Israel were "offensive and reprehensible" and "certainly" do not reflect the views of the Obama administration.

Thomas, highly revered for her decades of experience as a White House correspondent, has come under fire for saying that Israelis should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home" to Germany and Poland. Her remarks were captured on a video posted on the Internet last week, and Thomas was subsequently dropped by her speaking agency and excoriated by her colleagues and former White House officials.

"Those remarks were offensive and reprehensible," Gibbs said today during a press briefing. Thomas was absent from the front row seat reserved for her in the White House press room.

"She should and has apologized," Gibbs continued. "Obviously, those remarks do not reflect the opinion, I assume, of most of the people in here and certainly not of the administration."

Watch Gibbs' comments below:


Add a Comment See all 13 Comments
by IamAmerica June 9, 2010 1:20 PM EDT
You thought wrong !!!
It doesn't matter who the U.S. President is, they all work for Israel and they get their orders from Te Aviv.
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by Tired_of_it_all June 9, 2010 1:14 AM EDT
Considering the amount of hate-filled bigotry spewed everyday by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck & Co. without apparent notice or comment, the response to what Helen said is disproportionate in the extreme.

The Jews, and in particular the Israelis, seem to feel that they should neither be held accountable for their actions nor ever be subjected to critical observations. Apparently having suffered persecution themselves they feel they should be given carte blanche to persecute others as they please.

Much of the anger emanating from the Middle East is because of the Israelis. America is paying the price for its support of Israel and it appears that the US government, our "free" press and the American taxpayer must live in fear of offending them. Any politician or reporter who does is finished.

I lived in the Middle East for ten years. The people there are not stupid nor are evil. Their image in America is the consequence of a media that toes the Israeli line. Cross it, as Helen Thomas did, by telling the truth and see what happens.
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by Ami0_Ami0_Ami0 June 8, 2010 9:59 AM EDT
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too.

Currently everyone on planet earth, while not agreeing necessarily, at least understands what she is saying;

except the American media, who's condemnation and intolerance of such a statement makes it clear that objective reporting on the subject area that she referenced in her remarks, will not be available in the near future in the American Press.
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by Lexjim June 8, 2010 7:16 AM EDT
It's time Israel stops being a punching-bag for countries and every cause known to man. Thomas's remarks were nothing but mean venting filled with hatred, clearly. Mabye she will finally be happy with less to do other than attacking others with her venom.
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by ramahgee June 7, 2010 9:32 PM EDT
Israel is perched in the middle of millions of hostile, stupid, and irrational forms of humanity. If Israel blinks, once, their dead! So stop blaming them for doing what they have to do to protect themselves.

Israel was placed in their current location by the globally revered UN. They took what was ceded to them and proceeded to make a nation out of it. The Palestinians, on the other hand, have consistently squandered every opportunity to make a nation out of what they were ceded. Like a bunch of little cry babies, they are so busy blaming everyone else for their troubles that they are basically paralyzed.

As far as the "occupied" lands that Israel holds: They won every inch of land, that the world calls "occupied", on the field of battle. They were attacked, they defended themselves, and they won. To the victor go the spoils! The fact is, Israel has been MORE than lenient with her neighbors and the rest of the world.

As far as the people of the USA are concerned: "Israel IS... and that's the end of that discussion!
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by thecarmesh June 8, 2010 6:37 PM EDT
Well wouldn't you call going and living amongst stupid people STUPID? I agree with Helen , let them get out.
by stn_sage June 7, 2010 5:06 PM EDT
If this administration had ANY intelligence at all, this is one issue that they wouldn't want to come up publicly!

Because it looks like most of Obama's highest ranking, most influential staff are of Jewish extraction with an overriding sense of loyalty to Israel FIRST, the U.S.A. SECOND!

This begs the question: WHO is actually in charge of the U.S. government?

An elected American (maybe), or multiple Jewish agents in control of multiple areas of importance?

Attacking an 89 year old journalist for doing her job AND stating her OPINION, is pretty cowardly AND unnecessary!!

Obama and the Democrats are looking more like Dick Cheney and the GOP everyday!
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by Zann-Zel June 7, 2010 5:41 PM EDT
What sense does all that make? I thought Obama was the first President NOT to cater to Israel?
by spokeperson June 7, 2010 3:21 PM EDT
The things that have been said or done these past 15 months doesn't surprise anyone!

There has never been a time under any Administration where there has been so much name calling--disrespect--from the top elected officials--to the White House Press Corp--to the average American!

This era of disrespect will soon cease as the voters of America change who is in Congress--and make this country once again have respect for one another and for be sensitive to the needs of people in other countries!

This is a shame and disgrace for all her work and experience to end by saying what has been in her heart all these years!
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by spenccar June 7, 2010 2:49 PM EDT
Thank You Helen for saying what Justice minded people are thinking. Many of us simply do not have the courage to stand up to our Government due to the fact that the Jewish lobby controls our country.
I am so grateful to Helen Thomas. My concern is when our children's blood will be spilled for the arrogant actions of the Israeli apartheid government.
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by superdem1 June 7, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
In this country, if you tell the truth about Israel, the house comes down on you. You lose your election, you lose your job. Truth does NOT set you free, it ruins you.
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by thomasmc1957 June 7, 2010 12:04 PM EDT
Israel has turned into a vile bully, unfortunately there is no honest monitor of the Middle East playground.
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