Helen Thomas, the journalistic legend who's covered the White House since 1960, is retiring, her employer, Hearst Newspapers, announced today.
The news comes after Thomas raised an international furor by calling on Israelis to "get the hell out of Palestine," suggesting they go instead to Germany or Poland.
The remarks, termed "offensive and reprehensible" by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, were made to an interviewer for the website www.rabbilive.com
Thomas, who will turn 90 this summer, issued the following apology:
"I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."
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