Helen Thomas abandoned over comments
Agent, co-author ditch veteran Washington correspondent who said Jews need to 'get the hell out of Palestine.' She showed herself to be an 'anti-Semitic bigot', writes former White House advisor
WASHINGTON - Political commentator Craig Crawford, who co-authored the book "Listen Up, Mr. President" with Helen Thomas, announced on Sunday that he will stop working on another book with Thomas, following her remarks on Jews.
Crawford said that due to Tomas' regretful statement on Israel, he will no longer be able to collaborate with her on literary projects.
Thomas, who will soon turn 90, has been considered an inseparable part of the White House since 1961. The veteran correspondent said Jews need to "get the hell out of Palestine" during an event held by President Obama last week to mark Jewish heritage month. When asked where they should go, she replied "Home, to Poland and Germany."
Thomas' agent, Diane Nine, also announced she will stop representing her client following the shocking remarks. “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," wrote Nine.
Bill Clinton's former White House advisor Lanny Davis issued a statement, saying “Helen Thomas, who I used to consider a close friend and who I used to respect, has showed herself to be an anti-Semitic bigot.
"She has a right to criticize Israel…. However, her 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 that began 2,600 years with the first tragic and violent Diaspora caused by the Romans," he said.
"If she had asked all blacks to go back to Africa," Davis noted, "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?"
