US president says veteran correspondent's retirement "right decision."
By JPOST.COM STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESSobama helen thomas 311 AP(photo credit: 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 ColorsThe 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.
