Thursday, Dec. 09, 2010
Veteran White House Reporter Helen Thomas, to Jews
A reporter who specialized in putting powerful people's feet to the fire, Helen Thomas burned her own toes after she told a rabbi that Jews should get "the hell out of Palestine" and that Israelis should "go home." One week — and a huge outcry — later, she apologized, deeply regretting the "comments [she] made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians." She said the words didn't reflect her real belief, which was that "peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance." Three days later, she retired.