Helen Thomas Dropped By Speaking Agency, Under Fire For Remarks On Middle East

Under fire for controversial remarks she made (and apologized for) about the status of Jews in Israel, longtime White House scribe Helen Thomas was dropped on Sunday by her speaking agency.

"It is with a heavy heart that Nine Speakers, Inc. announces its resignation as the agent for Helen Thomas, Dean of the White House Press Corps," read a statement from Diane Nine, president of the agency. "Ms. Thomas has had an esteemed career as a journalist, and she has been a trailblazer for women, helping others in her profession, and beyond. However, in light of recent events, Nine Speakers is no longer able to represent Ms. Thomas, nor can we condone her comments on the Middle East. Nine Speakers will continue to enthusiastically represent all of our other current and future clients."

"We no longer represent Helen for books or lectures or anything else," Nine added in an email to the Huffington Post.

Thomas caused a stir late this week when a video was released of her declaring that Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and go back to Germany and Poland. She has since apologized for the remarks, saying they did not properly reflect her position on the conflict of the Middle East. But the criticism has been scorching ever since. Late Friday night, former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer called for Thomas' firing from Hearst news service, where she serves as a columnist.

Former Clinton adviser and consummate political "centrist" Lanny Davis released a statement on Sunday that was even more condemning, calling Thomas, among other things, an "anti-Semitic bigot."

"[H]er statement that Jews in Israel should leave Israel and go back to Poland or Germany is an ancient and well-known anti-Semitic stereotype of the Alien Jew not belonging in the 'land of Israel' -- one that began 2,600 years ago with the first tragic and violent diaspora of the Jews at the hands of the Romans," Davis' statement read, in part. "If she had asked all blacks to go back to Africa, what would the White House Correspondents Association's position be as to whether she deserved White House press room credentials -- much less a privileged honorary seat?"

Hearst has so far declined to weigh in on Thomas' status as a columnist with its news service. But the growing sentiment within the larger media world is that she should, at the very least, have her privileged status at the White House revoked. Davis himself argued for the suspension of "all privileges in the White House press room" in addition to her nationally-syndicated column. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Time Magazine's Joe Klein penned a post for the website arguing that Thomas should no longer be able to sit in the front row at daily press briefings -- albeit because she was a editorialist as much as for her incendiary remarks.

Thomas, who is of Lebanese descent, had been fairly upfront on her position of the Israel-Palestine crisis prior to the most recent comments surfacing. But the videotape released on Friday has placed her viewpoints in a much sharper and critical light and raised uncomfortable questions and coverage about her position within the White House press corps.

Comments

[geese1920]

10:11 PM on 06/09/2010

Wow... I am reading all the partisan posts on here, and this is just Huffington Post. It's no wonder Jews and Palistinians can't seem to find a solution that works for the people in Gaza. Personally, until both sides can let go of the past, and not react, and overreact, to each other, there will never be peace in the region. One side has to simply say enough, and not retaliate. Both sides have committed atrocities against the other. Both sides have been wronged. Both sides need to man up and try to most past it all. Is that possible? Not very likely, I'm afraid.

[wollstonecraft]

09:22 AM on 06/09/2010

As offensive as her comments were to many of us, she did have the right to speak them. Put this incident in the context of her service as an aggressive, vigilant reporter for decades. Any of us who don't like what she said, we can answer her speech with speech of our own, challenging and denouncing what she said.

For bleep's sake, she was banished by Bush and made to sit in the back row, ignored for questions, for years, because she dared to confront him aggressively. That speaks well of her.

[huffyanika]

04:37 PM on 06/08/2010

The Obama administration's condemnation of Helen Thomas, contrasted within a week with their refusal to use the word 'condemn' with regard to Israel's close-range murders of nine Gaza activists, is the last straw for this administration. Shame, shame on ganging up on a vulnerable icon -- one who has irritated all presidents for fifty years by asking the straightest, most critical and needed questions -- AND ILLEGALLY AND UNETHICALLY CONTRIBUTING TO HER LOSS OF HER ABILITY TO WORK.

[xiaonan119]

01:03 PM on 06/08/2010

this reporter should have long been removed , all 90-year-old grandmother , and also had alzheimer's

[Kirby]

09:45 AM on 06/08/2010

Helen Thomas made a lamentable comment. Obviously, slipped into unfathomable thinking for us. For most recognize the right under international law for Israel to exist, founded under UN aegis. Jews did need to have a place to go, because of the Holocaust. The issue now, 1967-2010, is its OVEREXISTENCE in land not appropriated to it under international law, and engaging itself in further land acquisition, and illegal occupation, buttressed by state terrorism against the Palestinians. The intention of the UN was that the Palestinians would make the its own state in the other partition. Helen Thomas, wittingly or unwittingly, espoused the cause of the extremist Palestinians, which to me, is unthinkable. HOWEVER, not only does she have the right to have an opinion, she has the to express that opinion, however shockingly skewed. We've erred in allowing Israel to enlarge itself beyond the original lines. Israel has attempted to change the rules of the ball game with a scheming claim that it needs more land for security. And God knows that there is no excuse for the terrorism we've permitted Israel to execute in order to keep any part of the West Bank. From day one, they have thumbed their noses to us when told that the settlements were illegal. I would like to think that Helen Thomas became cloudy in her mind and judgement based on the illegal and immoral actions of Israel these many years which possibly formed those unnecessary words to come out of her mouth.

[BlackhawkBill]

08:07 AM on 06/08/2010

Isn't there a book out there called "They Dared to Speak Out" concerning being punished for saying things about Israel?

[bbbbjr]

09:18 AM on 06/08/2010

yes by former illinois congressman Paul Findley. its a good read primarily about the power of AIPAC and what happens when regular people speak out in any way angainst israel and, in particular, when a congressman dares to vote down any bill which directly or indirectly appropriates funds for israel.

[huffyanika]

04:45 PM on 06/08/2010

I had no idea such a book existed. It's existence dramatically illustrates the fear that seems to have hold of all our politicians. The stoning of the heroic Helen Thomas is reprehensible and an example of Israel's and the American Right's overweening influence. This should stop right now.

[davidgoldmandg]

07:43 AM on 06/08/2010

Oh my God!

She dissed the Jews!

[hollace]

03:59 AM on 06/08/2010

I want Helen back.

[huffyanika]

04:47 PM on 06/08/2010

I demand that the jobs Helen Thomas held yesterday be given back forthwith.

[aSecondAmerican]

03:20 AM on 06/08/2010

Are we so fragile that we can't tolerate rash words from an 89 year-old? She's Helen Thomas – cut her some slack.

[nomadicus]

03:02 AM on 06/08/2010

Helen Thomas: "When would you be sending the Pals to Jordan?"

Ari Fleischer: "In fact, we are discussing this point with our friends in Tel-Aviv. Thanks for your excellent question."

NYT: "Helen Thomas receives the Medal of Freedom"

AIPAC: "Helen Thomas will be welcomed as a hero of free speech"

[MyGuyO]

02:57 AM on 06/08/2010

There is more on the tape that is to be revealed so says the Rabbi that interviewed her.

[cannante]

01:30 AM on 06/09/2010

mr objective?

the long view of this thing is that she is going to retire, why not go out with a good bang.

and prove quite conclusively that sometimes, j3ws are responsible for your back pain.

[blessedfrog]

01:30 AM on 06/08/2010

Helen has served this country gallantly ( in a flawed corp media world) for decades upon decades -- she dared to off an opinion that counters the prevailing powers - so what - how silly - oh dear if God meant for you to have something - doubt it would involve all the warfare and hideous pain this stupid situation does - absolutely ridiculous - taint old age - tis smarts = holy isn't in a land

[MyGuyO]

02:58 AM on 06/08/2010

The media will rip anybody that stands in their way.

[huffyanika]

04:50 PM on 06/08/2010

Apparently the president will too -- condemning Thomas' free speech and removing her right to earn living.

[Hankskool]

01:27 AM on 06/08/2010

Guilty of violating the Prime Taboo..

[MarkBoston]

12:52 AM on 06/08/2010

poor Helen .. all this outrageous faux rage being directed at her for , god forbid, having an opinion that MAY MANY people also believe to be true. No one can say anything but glowing praise when dealing with Israel in the US. They can do no wrong ever.... They have WAY TOO MUCH influence in our Media and Government. Who's is standing up for Palestine ? MUCH worse can be said about Palestine and no one would bat an eye !!!! GO HELEN !! Say your mind .

[Morrisminor24]

04:06 AM on 06/08/2010

yeah they all should go back to Poland and Germany, where they were treated so well. As well as the Palestinians should remember how affectionate Adolf was to their original Leader, Arafat's old boss.

[cannante]

01:33 AM on 06/09/2010

she is making the point that if they CHOSE to, they could return to poland and germany.

their immigration laws are such that "if you have a german shepherd you have the right to return"

so, she gets fired, proving the bias, points out another double standard with the go to poland line.

if the palestineans are willing to return to the place of the slaughter of their families, why cant the jews, i think is the reasoning.

you can disagree with premises, but the reasoning is sound.

[huffyanika]

05:02 PM on 06/08/2010

GREAT INJUSTICES HAVE BEEN PERTETRATED ON HELEN THOMAS.

To Activists: Let's all write Hearst newspapers and Nine-(something), the speaking agency which just fired Helen Thomas and exhort them to do the right thing and re-instate her. Without these employers is it true she has no voice?

To Helen: Get up, brush yourself off and get back up on the podium.

To Universities and other fair institutions: schedule Helen Thomas in for speeches as soon as possible.

To All Brave, Israel-Standing-Up-To newspapers: Rehire or hire Helen Thomas as a columnist, now.

Not supporting Helen Thomas is to cowardly bend to Israel's bootheel.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

12:22 AM on 06/08/2010

Very well put. At 89 you've earned the right to be a bit cranky and outrageous, and not be judged by a single remark. The incident highlights the limitations of 'freedom of speech' in the US - you are only allowed to be offensive on certain topics.