When Apologies Aren’t Enough

Whilst we can allow for genuine mistakes, I don't trust ANY celebrity/billionaire/politician apology by default for the exact reasons listed above.

hoping now that she has meet her maker she is getting what she deserves eternal HELL

She opened her heart to the world and we were able to see the darkness there. Even David, when he confessed his transgression and was forgiven suffered punishment because what he did would not only affect him but all those around him. This woman did not offer a true apology and even if she had, should have suffered judgment because her words were a rallying cry for the enemies of Israel. If she had been truly sorry she would have made efforts to correct the evil she spewed out of her heart and mouth.

Too little too late Helen.....It's those types of beliefs and remarks that keep the violence brewing. She's an idiot.....glad she's gone.

She openned her mouth, & spewed out what she wanted, all on her own; so why shoud I a feel an obligation to forgive her? Anyone who can freely make the comments she did, can just as easily, stand on her own; and she should!

"But undeserved forgiveness for incomplete and unworthy apologies heaps yet another layer of evil on the original wrong, even as it improperly absolves it. It puts the stamp of permissibility on actions that deserve only continued revulsion". I would forgive Helen Thomas both for what she said and for her non-apology. I would forgive her because there is virtue, if not always value, in forgiveness. I would forgive her in order to seperate myself from her petty spite and vindictiveness. And I would forgive her so that a watching world would have another opportunity to view her "apology" in the context of her true feelings and see her as insincere. In my view it is always right to forgive even while seeking justice for one's cause. Forgiveness gives one the moral high ground and allowsus to deal with our detractors in a human and humane way and with a different spirit. Israel has a strong and righteoeus position when it comes to relation to its territory and its survival as a nation. Putting forward one's case clearly and forcefully and asking to be given fair hearing is one thing. Reacting negatively to those who speak without reason and mainly out of malice and evil intent is quite another and may not be the best way to advance the Jewish cause.

Israel was taking a horrible public relations beating. Whether it was the suffering of people in Gaza or the death of those who tried to help, the world focused on Israel's wrongs. There were few articulate defenders and then came Helen. She explained that those who criticized Israel were not simply seeking peace in Gaza but destruction of the entire state of Israel. She reminded people of the Holocaust, and said that once Israel was destroyed, they would have to go back to Germany and Poland, the scene of the horrors. During the last three months, there has been no more articulate spokesperson for Israel, and no one who helped the country more in turning the public relations tide. I would hope we could keep Helen, and perhaps she can speak more in tough situations. .

You are the next!

In some of the editorials, see articals by Thomasson and Shcram, they defend her and even blame the rabbi-insinuating that he somehow tricked her!!!!! These 'on the wire' and published nation wide-hopefully people will continue the outrage in these venues.

Let her sit with Mel Gibson . I won't even watch his movies any more. Used to;, but I'm sure they both still feel the same in spite of any apology.

You are right. It was no apology AND whatever it was, it came a week after she said it. But I ask, what did she mean by it. Besides the obvious anti semitism, I would like het to explain what she 'thinks' she means. Does she also want Jews to leave Israel and go back to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. ? Does she really believe she said anything, but HATE! She shouldn't be allowed to resign. She should be forced to continue in the public eye so she can be scrutizined.

No need to apologise Helen - you are too clever for that - your comments are out and it is timely that you get out too!

I don't understand all the cries to "forgive" Helen Thomas. Has Mel Gibson been forgiven? I sincerely hope not; but his apology was at least a true apology - and he included concrete steps to correct his admitted anti-Semitism. As for her age as an excuse - age is like drinking wine - "in vino veritas" - the old say their true thoughts more easily just as those who've had a few drinks a la Mel Gibson admit to their real feelings on any given subject. Anti-Semitism is not an eccentricity of age, it is an innate and unreasonable form of hatred. Would Hitler have been forgiven? That might be an extreme example - but nazi Germany began with simple statements similar to Gibson's and Thomas's. They weren't filling up cattle-cars at the beginning of their reign of murderous terror. Anti-Semitism must be stopped where it starts - and Jew-hating reporters are among the most dangerous proponents of this hatred, as history has shown over and over again. "Chronicles of the Elders of Zion", anyone? That piece of propaganda is STILL going around America disguised as truth and reporting. Whether Thomas can be forgiven as an INDIVIDUAL is a separate and more personal issue; whether she can be forgiven as a journalist is an impossible proposition, in my opinion.

It is indeed sad for a woman with a remarkable career to have uttered such hateful remarks. I wonder if anyone has any previous knowledge of Ms. Thomas being anti- simetic, or maybe she was just adept hiding her true feelings for almost 90 years?

I don't think you can use Helen Thomas's age to defend her. If she continues to work and be a driving force in the media you have to assume that she can be held accountable for her actions. If she denies responsibility for what she says and does, she can not hold such influential positions. She was caught off guard by the question and answered what she truly believes!

Ms.Tomas not only shows total lack of information as far as the history of the region where jews lived before Christianity and before islam,and also about the holocaust?it can't be so what she is really saying is"you noy only have no right to have your Country but you have no right to live,like the extreme Islam terrorist say"go back to the ovens,the crematoria,the gas chambers,and this is such and extreme form of antisemitism that it has no place in a Democracy like the U.S.A.Unforgivable.

When one works as a journalist they must not let their personal opinions or feelings be known and all reporting must be true and neutral, thus leaving the viewer to listen,analyse and make their personal conclusion. For too long I have witnessed the international media being biased against Jewish people and the state of Israel without proper investigation and based on inaccurate facts such as the events in Jenin a few years ago ( which were later revealed to be false). I guess Helen Thomas must have been charged by something that day to let her true feelings come out. Apologising is like shooting someone and saying, " I'm sorry". That's weak.

Is it a crime to be "wrong"? Can't a democratic society tolerate someone who disagrees? I don't agree with what she said, but I don't think anyone has the right to ruin her because she expressed the "wrong" opinion. It's childish, it's petty, it's unethical, it's hypocritical. They should have handled it with a degree of grace worthy of the office of the president of the united states. They handled it like reactionary puppets. Nobody beats an old lady and comes out looking good, not even God could do that. It would have been a little wiser to laugh it off as old age or dementia creeping in. The smartest thing would have been to boldly acknowledge her opinion and refute it with a simple "This is our home, perhaps she isn't aware" and "She is entitled to her opinion and while it may not win her friends, she will not be rebuked for expressing her opinion". Is Rob Lowe still a white house advisor?

There is no need to forgive Ms. Thomas as she has not asked us to. And if she asks, we need only do so if there is an admission of the offense with a change of mind and behavior. I think it is pleasing to HaShem when any of us does this when we offend Him or others. It only hurts each of us when we hold a grudge. I think rabbis, pastors and psychologists would all tell us that fact. So we may all need to watch over our hearts when Ms. Thomas shows up on Larry King LIve or some of the other shows in an attempt to justify her comments and rebuild her reputation. At her age perhaps she won't bother. If I were a betting man, I would say that she is down but not out. But also, as Jews, we should be cognizant of our words about Ms. Thomas both in our hearts and in the written and spoken word lest we sound anything like those who hate us, including Ms. Thomas. Rabbi Bllech did say it best.

Jewish people as a whole are good people. It doesn't make sense to me that we are hated so much. We bring so much good to the world and yet the Jewish people do not get the proper recognition.

Great article. We have also seen in Australia this new public 'I'm sorry' response which is meant to mean everything is now as good as if it was never done or said. I think that they believe that our Christian culture here means that we have to forgive and we can be made feel very guilty if we don't because Jesus teachings say we have to. I strongly argue that point because they forget the little piece where Jesus says if your brother (meaning another true believer) comes and asks personally for our forgiveness, which means they are acknowledging the wrong done to me personally, then I have an obligation to forgive. Only in that instence is it even possible to consider. I was sexually abused as a child for a considerable time and have been told many times by good meaning church people thaty I have to forgive. I don't and wont because that person has never come to ask me and has gone on to harm many others. I lead a wonderful life and don't pity myself at all, I just refuse to eber let that terrible person ruin one day of my God give wonderful life.

the statement by helen thomas is totally unacceptable iam totally shocked

She has been a fighter for rights of all people all of her life. Please think of your oldest relative, perhaps suffering from Allzheimers. Please let Helen go with the respect she deserves. I know her, she is not anti-semtic. Did you see 2 women help her get about..She was so kind to my Jewish daughter who is dyslectic

shes as bigoted as she is ugly as a witch

How wonderful and seemingly unexplainable at first are Hashem' way. It shows in our history too. People who hate us and are with words trying to hurt us are sometimes voicing the truth. "They should go back where they came from". (Said our friend Helan Thomas)That is the slogan and policy of our Zionist moveement. And that is what we are dreamed for centuries. We did it and we will stay finaly, since the Promised Land is our real home. Long live Israel. Moshe Avrom

for to long we have forgotten and forgiven, we can't be soft anymore, this is a cruel world made of people who hate and hate themselves more than they hate us. be strong and fight for what is right for mankind.

It is true the American people are a forgiving nation. Even 9/11 and the continious war in Iraq with thousands of casualties does not deter them from agreeing to build a Muslim center in ground zero. How can they forget so quickly?

helen thomas,may i ask you a question or two,how long do your family members live in lebanon? my own family resided in hebron and in jerusalem for the past 400-500 years,they were never in poland or in germany.we are pure hebronites,jerusalemites.and you,helen?you cant trace your own that far,by the way,my wife forefathers sang in the first and second temple in jerusalem,do you know how many years ago? long long before you became the doyen of the upi writers,old witch,my advise to you,go and learn how to apply lipstik before you open your mouth.go and visit auschwitz before you open your mouth,and better than this advise,dont open it at all.we are of a different stock than you,we wont offer you our cheek.this land is our land.

MY TAKE ON HER COMMENTS IS THAT GIVEN THE WHITE HOUSE SENTIMENTS TOWARDS iSRAEL AND THE JEWS, SHE FELT SAFE TO VOICE THEIR IDEAS. THE SHAME IS NOT ONLY HERS.

Apology is for the benefit of the transgressor/perpetrator and forgiveness is for the benefit of victim, but it's forgetting that remains for the future of both to repeat and become stupid. "Always forgive, but never forget"

She never used the all-inclusive term "Jew." Very, very big difference from the author's major premise. Only a fool cannot tell the difference.

We see that the Arab/Muslim minorities in many European and US states become larger and more chalanging. Look at Holland, Sweden, England (where loud satanic Speakers shout hatred on Sundays' speaker's corner). I suppose this is the bakground the good Helen had to utter her famous statement, underestimating the response. Shame on the old goat!

In reply to helen thomas, as an ex serviceman who was in an infantry division in the line for 5 years,Africa,Sicily,Italy & so on.When the concentration camps were freed & tranfered to transit camps then told to return home.When the Jews tried they were refused,their homes were occupied & no one was Leaving,in Lidice Poland 42 were killed trying to return to their homes.Returning to the camps they were commiting Suicide,as they had no home or future.

I had always had respect for Helen Thomas, so I was amazed by her suggestion that Jews return home to "Germany" and "Poland," from which they were annhiliated when she was in her 20's. As she is a journalist, she presumably knows some history in order to give her reporting context. But what shocked me about her comments was the venom with which she expressed her opinions. Further, as a progressive, I am even more shocked at the vitriolic anti-semitism expressed in the wake of her comments by my fellow progressives, presumably nonJewish. The whole affair has left me deeply disappointed in yet another public figure, and even more disappointed in my fellow progressives. While politically I could never align myself with the right, my feelings for those that call themselves progressives has soured. In the end, the whole affair has left me with a profound sense of loss.

It turns out her hate for the Jewish people was her downfall. She will only be remembered as an enemy of the Jewish people, She hates Israel and she told the world so. Her moment of justice has come and forgiveness from the Jewish people is not required.

The poison on her heart just come out, its the only feeling inside her, hate, it shows it in her face, sorry for say this but shes like the bad witch on Walt Disney movies. Shalom Le kulam.

Half the population of Israel comes from "Eastern" countires--from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and others. Ms. Thomas not only showed her anti-semitism, she also showed her ignorance of history when she suggested Israelis return to "where they came from." Would any Arab country that expelled Jewish citizens welcome them back?

I am so glad I don't need to see her anymore on my screen .She is ugly physically and mentally It is very unusual to find a person of her age to have so much hate , At her age people bless everything and everyday because they are alive .

Helen Thomas is not sorry she said what she said; she is sorry she got caught! What's to forgive??? She is another one in a long line of anti semetic "journalist" hiding behind "freedom of speech"

At the end of her life , I hope she will repent before she breaths her last breath. No chance to receive God's forgiveness once we cross over, whether one believes it or not.

Helen Thomas deserves NOT to be forgiven! She has ended her career - that's what she deserves.

Bravo! If only more people had the courage to stand up for right and against wrong as you have.

If her apology was a sincere one that came from the heart and to the Jewish people, then we are obliged to forgive, but if it was only made in order to make repairs to her own life, I see no need to forgive. It is was is truly in the heart of the person apologizing. I have found however, that once being almost irreparably hurt by extended family, that the only source of comfort to me was to forgive and to pray for them. Eventually, it brought me peace even though they never asked for my forgiveness.. I have mourned many times for what happened to the Jews even though I am a Christian, and I'm not sure that I could find it in my heart to forgive what they endured. I can not see into the heart of Helen Thomas, but I suspect that her apology was based on what it has now cost her. Still, I am not to judge. I leave that to God, but I find your position understandable and cannot comment on you, but rather on her.

It was time for Helen Thomas to exit the stage. She has shown her true colors by making the singularly most offensive remark she could have made. It is never about Zionsim - it is always about the JEWS. Telling a rabbi that Jews should get the hell out of "Palestine" and go "home" to Germany and Poland (and as an afterthought, because she probably already realized how ignorant and bigoted her remarks sounded, the US and everywhere else), is arguably the most insensitive and hateful of comments. There is an especially heinous mean-spiritedness to suggest that Jews return to live in the countries that butchered so many of our people. Thank G-d that He removed her censor chip and allowed her to say what has always been on her mind. She was long past her expiration date, and I do not care how old she is, she deserves the disgrace surrounding her departure, because what she said now has been on her mind for a LONG, long time, and senility cannot excuse it.

A pox on her, the ugly old witch, ditto upon all our enemies. Amen!

and tony snow called her on it, calling her the "Hezbollah apologist". She and Buchanan openly support terrorist groups bent on destroying Israel and yes, the Jews! Helen might try picking up her Bible once in a while, since she claims she is a Christian. The other idiots are Rosie O'Donnell and Joy Behar. Apparently it is chic to be anti-Semitic and ignorant of Jewish history.

The vitriolic statements came from the gut. No matter what the words, the hatred belied the cute, sweet, innocence of a lifetime of seemingly brilliant reportage. She had us all fooled, but no more!.

Thank you so much for a terrific article. Her comments were terrible. Her apology did not seem like an apology at all.

The Rambam writes that any time accepting an apology makes you open to more damage, you don't have to forgive at all . Pity ,that seems to be a novel idea today .

Well said Rabbi Blech.Helen Thomas' apology is incinsere, as the one of Jimmy Carter. And incensere apologies are double faults. Furthemore, apologies are never enough; a corrective action must follow, very difficult in this case, as Helen Thomas has already sprayed her venom.

This woman,,s (HELEN THOMAS) comments are unforgiveable, because - in light of holocaust denial and rampent anti-semitism - in places like FRANCE and ENGLAND. Her apology was not sincere. She had wished for the destruction of AM YISRAEL. If she had been more contrite and specially spoken about her comments in detail, maybe, she would deserve forgiveness

Mr Ingle:Ms Thomas is not senile. These have been her opinions for many years. Only now is the truth about her bigotry coming out. Senile no, ugly yes. Noela: If forgiveness is automatic ("we must forgive") then evil has no bounds. Have you forgiven Hitler yet?

to not forgive her hurts us--not her. her ignorance & unwillingness to offer a sincere apology is "her stuff," not ours. our forgiveness opens a door within us to move on w/out carrying her baggage. this is what is most loving to us.

I agree that when she spoke out she said what has been in her heart for all her life. And with age she let it out, which means she can't apologize and mean it for that is another lie.

Helen Thomas is entitled to her opinions what she is not entitled to is to lie or distort history. The Jewish people have had a thriving, rich, and tangible presence in the land of Israel for 3000 years. Home to the Jews is Israel or Palestine or Canaan. Archeological remnants bare this out. So either Helen is ill-educated or a liar or a useful idiot or an anti-semite, the outcome was correct...the world doesn't need to receive its news from someone like her.

Helen Thomas did not offer a real apology. She was probably allowed to retire because her employers found it simpler than a possible lawsuit (if fired, she could claim age or nationality discrimantion.)

#85 no. the concept of forgivness is for a private fued neighbohrly, bussness, etc not those who hate us and wishes outr destruction. and by the way even for private fueds etc, forgivness is only for those who sincerely reget , not this thomas. Her hatefor the jewish people is documented. The apology ,you know well enough is only because she was caught .

Her comments reflected her true color as a racist/antisemitist and feelings that she has carried for years. She might as well have said: the jews should return to Germany and Poland and the blacks should return to slavery. But as a 90 year old senile old woman she still had a spec of clarity that prevented her to say that. Apologies do not replace or erase a person’s comments of this magnitude. She does belong in an institution, but first she should be taken to Auschwitz and all other concentration camps.

Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but words can forever hurt me!

I'm with Masha (88)

turning the other cheek is a Christain concept, not a Jewish one. What Thomas did is unforgiveable, and her apology meant nothing, because her words to the Rabbi were her true beliefs. She belongs in an old age home with Jimmy Carter, till death do they part.

There is no such thing as hatred between jews and gentiles, you are mistaken, jews never hated gentiles, how could they ? They lived amongst gentiles. But they did fear the gentiles. Why ? Because the gentile world since 2000 years has been fed the poison of contempt and hatred of the jewish world. Same thing with the muslims, the coran teaches contempt and hatred of the jews, the coran even encourages the murder of jews: "If you lift a stone in the desert and a jew is hidden underneath, kill him !" Hadiths (Words and deeds of the muslim prophet) The Christian world has begun to modify its attitude towards the jews since the sixties, Vatican 2 has erased the accusation of deicide. That was 40 years ago, but it will take a little more than just one Sinaï crossing to reach the end of antisemitic prejudice promised land

Thank you so much for your talented ability to put all of my inarticulate incredulous shock into such clear-sighted incisive words. Kol ha-kavod...........

Excuse me all but, aren't we supposed to forgive all our neighbors??? Who are we to judge??? I do not approve Ms. Thomas' comments. I absolutely regret her words, but I am not the one who can judge and condemn her. None of us can. We are asked to forgive and forget. And that's what we should do.

The travails of time will wear us all down, whatever our heritage. Helen Thomas appears very much the worse for age. Is she entering that second childhood that troubles so many caretakers and families of the aged if not the victim of the process. Whatever she says might easily be a product of early dementia. In that condition, that waxes and wanes, I've heard loving spouses curse their husband and wives. If, in fact, we are hearing the disinhibition of Helen Thomas authentic beliefs then she deserves the condemnation she is receiving. If this was a random expression of all-too-common irrational warping of cognition and emotion accompanying aging, not so much. Will the good Helen Thomas has done be interred in her grave while this lives on? She cannot be far from death.

Like the guy who spilled the milk, took a straw and tried to suck it off the floor. Thats how much I think of Helens apology.

I thank Helen for being honest about her true feelings, even though it makes me sad. She is sorry for what she said, because of what it has cost her. I don't recall her asking us to forgive her. At least now we see her for the sorry person she truly is, how sad. The hate and anger in her heart, I wouldn't wish on anyone. Getting angry at her, does not bring out the best in us, just as her anger and hate did not bring out the best in her. I love G-d with all my heart. I have learned that there are things and people that are not under my control. These are the things that I must leave in His hands. Should she ask for forgivness, I would. It is what G-d gives us. Why shouldn't we give it to others? He gives us love and wants us to love each other. It is the only way that we will ever see world peace. I love you all, Carol

I too, could not believe what Helen T said, especially as she said it to a rabbi, whom she knew she would hurt with her incredibly ignorant and unexamined attitude - I always thought she was Jewish, but I believe she is Lebanese. What is this ancient hatred between Jews and Gentiles? (I don't like being labelled 'Gentile' really) , we must not deal with people en mass, and ignore the similarities and common interests etc with any given population in the world - easy to divide, better to unite. Is the human condition to divide and draw lines. I do sympathise with the Jewish people, you have been through so much, it is incomprehensible, that's why I read this site, to educate myself re the Jewish people, trying to get to the nub of the ancient hatreds. I really really hope that there will be peace - but when? Yours sincerely Sue G.

I don't like Helen Thomas,she is a mean spirited person. Jay Leno said it right. When she said to tell the Jews to go back where they came from he told his audience that they were already there(meaning in Israel).

Helen's apology reminds me of a courtroom lawyer's trick question to a witness whose testimony has changed: Were you lying then or are you lying now?

NEVER forgive & NEVER forget!!!!!

If we hold a grudge isn't that hurting us more than it's hurting her? If I don't forgive her, then God won't forgive me.

An apology ("I'm sorry") requires no response. Asking for forgiveness however is a different matter. It is difficult for most of us to apologise then add "Please forgive me" because we then put ourselves at the mercy of the offended one(s) as to whether they choose to forgive or not forgive. Most of us don't run that risk and, frankly, I don't see Helen Thomas being remorseful, chastened or humble enough to ask anyone for forgiveness.

She hates Jews. This is what is at the core of her statements. Pure, simple, hatred of Jews. Unless she has some sort of epiphany that completely changes this attitude of hers, there is no such thing as forgiveness for being hated.

Helen should be prayed for.She is lost and she needs the lord.

Forgiveness means to turn her over to the judgment to G-d. Then the onus of judgment is not on us. We can rest in that he will give her the consequences of her words, which appears to have been done in the many things that have happened to her. Her actual repentance will come eventually. Hopefully. But our forgiveness is not dependent on her repentance or heartfelt apology.

Helen Thomas has a heritage of Lebenon extraction. She is one of those Arabic types who are so anti-Semitic that she does not even realize that she too is Semitic. Her intelligence, sadly, is covered by her panty hose. And I also refuse to apologise, she is an embittered old has been who seldom WAS.

You are absolutely right- I don't understand how some people can give in to facades so easily. It's one thing when someone publicly expresses anti-semitism; It's another when the media tries to protect them based on a lame apology. So thank you for writing this!

#42 jew hatred has nothing to do with being educated

She finally showed her true face. She is, she has been and she will be a a bigot and an Antisemite. One day god will punish her for what she said.

Once again the perpetrator is the victim in the world's eyes, and the jews are to blame. It goes on and on.

Most people in positions of power, authority or in positions that are perceived to have these attributes apologize when they have been "caught" doing something or saying something indiscreet/wrong. These apologies are usually far from heart felt; they are made only due to a perceived necessityto apologize with the expectation that when the apology game has been played they can go back to life as it was before their indiscretion/wrong behavior. Helen Thomas is no different; she let her true feelings out at the wrong time. Helen made her apology thinking everything thing would be OK...even though she is still just as anti-semetic as the day when she made her statement; the only difference now is that we all know her true feelings.

Helen Thomas may have been the most brazen but she clearly reflects the majority of the mainstream media here in the US. Israelis have few friends among the left and none in the msm. Further more,i t amazes me that so many Jews support Barack Hussein Obama who has over and over betrayed the Jewish people.

Helen Thomas, get the hell out of the US and go home to Lebanon!

Forgiveness is good, but it has to be received as sincerely as it is requested. This lady is not requesting it with any sincerity. She has merely been found out rewgarding her tru attitudes to Israel and she should NOT be let off the hook!

well stated !

In one line she said, "peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon." Irrefutable proof that she has NO idea what is going on in the middle east. It can not be clearer that there will NEVER be peace a long as the arab nations teach their children about the burning hate of Israel. (and by the way, sending her on a cruise on a flotilla to gaza is not a bad idea......)

For those who has short memory for "disease" Helen Thomas has, make another review of Samuel Beckett's "RHINOCEROS"...

I agree with Chaya {39 ]

.......does not mean you are sorry. The presure got too much.So now what do we have ---apologies. Do all a favour Helen, go write a book about the error of your ways. The first 100 pages must read: I am a poop brain! I am a poop brain! I am a.....

When Jews were living in Europe (like my father) gentiles were screaming -Jews to Palestine!! Now we are living in so called Palestine and the voices are to return!? Can't they make their mind already?

Well put, and quite true. Even Earl Hickey (My Name is Earl) figured out that saying "I'm sorry" wasn't enough -- you have to at least try to right the wrong.

It is truly sad that a lady of her caliber spoke words that reflect baseless hate. I feel that we, as Jews, need to as ask the question; does this sentiment pervade the current administration? With the recent support or lack thereof regarding Israel’s decision concerning the Gaza flotilla one may assume that Helen Thomas is not the only one that harbors a strong dislike for Israelis and Israel.

There's no apology, no repentance, she's a bigot plane and simple! Too bad, so sad, the old biddy lost her job. disinvited to address a grad class, removed from a speakers bureau and no b'day party w/her muslim buddy. I'm glad,she got what she deserved.

She's just a dizzy old gal. Forgive her and move on. Complaining about her in the news... she loves it. Put it all down to a senile old dame shouting her stupid mouth off.

A woman in her position should know what diplomacy is and that it should always be practiced in the public arena. There are many agitators in the journalistic field who are provoking animosity toward the selected scapegoat in each country and of the world. Dangerous words that incite wars and hatred against an entire group of people are overtly evil. Although many people come to her defense, the Protocols of Elders is once again surfacing in the public square as in the pre-Hitler days and all the blame is being placed on the Jewish people. It appears as a unified effort by the same demons that have surfaced throughout the different centuries of history--different names and faces, but the same agenda.

90 years she was thinking in this way. Now she expressed herself. Bravo! Let people to talk.

I was shocked by her comments. I found it inconceivable she could be saying this. It seemed like somebody's nightmare, as if nobody could say something so outrageous, so filled with enmity, so wrong. And yet she did. I don't for a minute believe this apology. It seems expedient. It seems pat. After all, we "heard" her, and I don't think people go around saying things in this way, that aren't an outpouring of their particular view, and then, suddenly, Oh, so sorry, I didn't really mean that. Of course she did. Yes, I think forgiveness has its codicils. You are so right. And this is, outrage.

Apologies can roll off the tonge, but acknowlegement of taking responsibility would have more depth. Yom Kippor should be observed by all people.

If you say something despicable about me, Moiraz, I can let it go, because I am not a famous person and neither are you. But when someone of Helen Thomas's stature says something despicable about the entire Jewish nation, then we cannot and must not let it go. Her having said that opens the door for others to follow suit. And sooner or later hate speech leads to action. For a case in point, read some of the speeches of a person of stature: Adolph Hitler. (yemach shmo.)

Helen Thomas is part of the incompetence of todays, so called, journalists. They look a situations with an already determined bias. This prevents them from discovering both sides of an issue. If Ms. Thomas had examined the facts she would have discovered the Jewish people have a much longer history in Palestine than the , so called, Palestinians. They are Jordanians. Medial blogs have come into being because journalists are not balanced in their research. Her exit from the scene is a plus for the truth. Others should either leave or live up to the true meaning of being a journalist.

It is disappointing to see how bad everyone can be when it comes to prejudice. Please dont be holier than thow.

Helen Thomas has so often spoken against Israel during her career, that this latest vitriolic tyrade doesn't surprise any of me. I do NOT feel that it is up to me to forgive her. As a Jew, I have endured sly comments and inuendos my entire life. Ms. Thomas' comments are to be simply catalogued as anti-Jew and anti-Israel discourse. I will NEVER forget her comments, nor do I forgive her. I choose to let her be judged by God.

I agree, she should not be forgiven. And she should be sent back to school, to repeat all history classes...Roy

Good riddance to her.

Very well written and put!

I couldn't believe it when I heard her comments. I thought she was supposed to be an educated person. She's a stupid, idiot in the true sense of the word. Thanks for the article. Continuing the struggle to set the world straight about our beloved Isreal and it's people. Blessings and Peace, Sylvia Gonzales

I am the one who said that and, here, you have my name - if that's important to you. There's nothing arrogant about me. I have had 'despicable' things said about me because I am deaf. I wasn't addressing the rabbi as such but all the complaining commentators. It's really much ado about nothing. If you are secure in your self, or your faith, someone like Helen Thomas should not have the power to bother you.

Rebbe, Forgive, but don't overlook or forget GOORNISHT. Antisemitism is an insidious disease. Treatment is exposure, education of those infected through "rakhmoonas, halakha behavior towards the unfortunate

So let's send her on a cruise on a Flotilla to Gaza.

This was a wonderful commentary, which contained a clear message for the Helen Thomas's of this world. I, however feel that I do prefer those like Helen Thomas that air their thoughts in public. It is easier for the uninformed (and there are many who believe what the media is telling them) when reading a message written by a blatant anti-semite like Helen, to say "well they think this way because of what they have vocalized in the past and so I am not going to place too much weight on what has been said here". Instead, when people hide their feelings and pretend that they are impartial, it becomes more difficult for the uninformed to understand the real message. This is unfortunately what we see in the media today (especially the BBC, CNN and others like them). So to Helen Thomas, thank you for being so honest! You have made yourself look bad all by yourself! You have also lost all credibility and have gone out with an embarrassing "BANG".

Thanks to Joel Dubow for sharing the four steps to real forgiveness, They ought to be published widely right under any opinion pieces about Helen. I am heartily sick of the meaningless apologies that put the onus back on the victim, as in "I'm sorry you didn't like my remarks/behaviour". Helen's career is now completely overshadowed by her stupid outburst, revealing a tiny mind and mean heart behind the big voice she has been allowed to use publicly for so long. I do not forgive her.

The europeans took the land from the Native Americans, so Hellen should go back to her routes in Europe, unless she is a Native American.

Great! You did a beautiful job. I am now working with three different families whose fathers were jailed for sexually abusing their own children. Now that the fathers are out, certain relatives are pressuring the children to forgive their fathers! And the ones doing the most pressuring are the children who feel that they are superior and holy for being so forgiving!

At the Yom Kippur services I attended the Rabbi would describe the meaning of forgiveness. Contemporary forgiveness has devolved to a condition that enables the offender to continue doing what they did. Biblical forgiveness has four steps. Helen Thomas has been given a free ride, and the worst offenders are the Jewish leaders who have lost the opportunity to help our people and help rais the level of public discourse. True forgiveness begins with the offender acknowledging that they offended the victim and expresses remorse for doing so. The second of four steps requires the offender to compensate for the offense to the best of their ability. The third element is for the offender to take actions to ensure that the offense does not occur again via counseling, study or what ever way would be seen by the offended as reasonable. The fourth step is to ask the forgiveness of the offended party, which may or may not be given. This analysis was unsurprising back when I first heard it. Now it is unheard of. The media and academia monoculture that control the public channels of communication are in breach of their responsibilities under the social contract that grants them extraordinary freedom. You can kid yourselves, you can kid the public, but you can't kid the rules of nature and the nature of human beings, so an accountability will come. I just hope it doesn't destroy Israel and destroy the country in the process. Our liberal brothers and sisters, and especially leaders in the Jewish community should know better, and the unthinking adherence to political correctness is a shonda.

By virtue of Helen Thomas' comments, she has shown her ignorance and vitiated both her knowlege of history and her reputation. Her comments are unprofessional, unacceptable and unforgivable. She will merely be a footnote in high school textbooks.

It isn't bad enough that we are the last people on the face of the earth who it is politcally correct to murder... I guess that is why the Helen Thomases of the world feel comfortable shouting their poison out in public! To simply ask to be forgiven- and expect it- is like "accidentally" shoving someone into the gas chamber and then saying, "Oops,!" These things are not done by accident. We are not even required to "forgive" because her past and present actions and words make it clear that any request for forgiveness is not genuine, but merely meant to avoid consequences.

Wake Up! Helen is part of the real world as it is, there are many Helens in Politics and elsewhere around the world, she is just one of many. Their hearts are hidden and but truth always reveals itself at some point or another and their mouths becomes the sword of great Evil, so Helen's heart has always been Black and filled with great inconsideration toward our people, Lies and more Lies, let this not surprise you or anyone, just be aware and prepared and let justice prevail in every category of existance and G~d will be with us always, darkness never prevails..

If an acquaintance said what Helen Thomas said, I might not hold a grudge but I would never trust or be comfortable around them again. Her lack of historic knowledge alone makes her unfit to be a reporter or columnist.

Just for a moment forgetting the day we sat down to lunch with the rabbi for our weekly lunch date and when asked by my daughter why they had uprooted and moved after WWII, he fought back a tear and said because when he and his family had returned home, their formerly nice neighbors came to their doorstep and told them that if they attempted to move back in, they would personally finish what the German's had started, I wanted to point out that G-d has only ever asked for a repentent heart which can only be outwardly viewed as changing our ways. One day after this comment made by Ms. Thomas, she sharply questioned president Obama for not criticizing Israel's blockade on Gaza. It just doesn't sound like she is all that repentent, and furthermore; forgiveness has never meant we didn't answer for our deeds. That is part of the whole process. She is not young and her chance for true repentance gets smaller as they days pass. Still, I would much rather deal with someone that has no problem telling me where they stand like Ms. Thomas than the lowlife who makes anonymous posts out of cowardice.

Rabbi Blech is one of my favourite writers. His vision is clear and his explanations lucid The facts are there-any screaming enemy of Israel's borders would be cautioned saying a similar statement regarding Jews and Germany.But Helen Thomas is from a "cultured" society and comments like hers are more shocking as the mask of decency and ethics is removed showing her real character. Her apology is no apology,Somebody should provide her with Chofetz Chaim's book on Guarding the tongue

I was truly appalled by Ms. Thomas' comment. I found it very frightening that a person of her stature could spew such hatred and ignorance. How many others are thinking the same thoughts as her? I do not accept her apology.

The previous annonymous commentor says let it go or we will be in danger of loosing sympathy...... think Helen's comment shows there never was any to begin with!!

Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Is it better to locate your enemies by what they say, or to allow their pretention and guess who they are? We have located her. We know who she is. She fits the profile; now confirmed. Her apology? Saving her fall from grace. Not from the heart and never will be. Israel has many who love her and stand by her--even G-d. That is my focus. Much love....

How arrogant of you to assume that Rabbi Blech's pride has been 'hurt' and that he should 'let it go' and forgive Helen Thomas! Or to imply that he wouldn't care so much if Helen Thomas were some unknown nobody. It does matter that she is a well known journalist who was always given a front row seat at White House press conferences - this gave her a perch to spew her malignant opinions and pass them off as news. Rabbi Blech has wtitten about this despicable woman because she is news, or she would be news if the mainstream media would not bury the story. It is also despicable of Helen Thomas to suggest a moral equivalence between the Israelis, who wish to live peacefully with their Arab neighbors, and the Arabs, who wish to destroy Israel and murder all the Jews. That is not an apology. Some comments should not be tolerated, and to suggest that Jews go back to the land of Auschwitz is intolerable. Helen Thomas ought to go back to Lebanon. Anonymous, you are the kind of person who will be kind to the wicked and ultimately wicked to the kind.

The best response is for American Jews to make Aliyah. May THAT day come soon. Shabbat Shalom and Rosh Hodesh Sameach

Helen Thomas exemplifies the truth that anti-Semitism is a dead end. Once she revealed her antipathy toward Jews,her long career ended abruptly and on a dreadful note.

if we have to look at her horror-movie face any longer i was going to be sick. and to make it worse she had to open her nazi mouth.

You really do need to let it go. It may be hard as your pride has been hurt. All these comments will just end up losing you sympathy. If she hadn't been such a prominent person would you have cared as much?

By her own words her heart must be black as coal.

Can you restore all the feathers to a pillow when it splits open? Like the feathers, once the words are out, they are air born and it cannot be taken back. This comes from a story about the wisdom of a Rabbi who was asked for forgiveness by a foolish person who spread a damaging rumor. This time, however, the hurtful words expressed the view point of a newswoman who has had a sizable audience. Even if we, or the Rabbi wanted to grant forgiveness, it is no longer in our power. Reality and domain stands in the way.

Misses Helen is unaware that even if her statement would have any historical basis, maybe half of the Israel Jewish population is of Mizrachi origin....so then again, what's the problem even within her frame of thinking?????

With all her many years of intimate and day to day exposure to the facts of history, Thomas' really idiotic remark is all the more to be despised than had it been made by others outside the charmed circle.

see the following to understand why she should not be forgiven: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/09/rabbi-receives-death-threats-helen-thomas-video/

That's all I have to say.

One of the first lessons of Torah is the idea of the need for Mercy. Even a quick reading of the first Narratives of Creation Show G-d Creating in the name used primarily for Judgment... Elokim. But before creating Adam he uses his name of Mercy Hashem. Why? He foreknew all the pain humanity would cause him and foresaw the fact that Humanity would often fail. Had he Created Man under the name of Elokim... once they failed... that would have been it. Humans and Humanity no more. But being a Just creator he used a name which allowed for both Mercy and Grace. I, being one who falls short far too often, am Thankful that he did. It is a far greater Mitzvah to extend that aspect of Mercy ourselves than to try to emulate anything resembling divine judgment. Think of the times in your life, this year, this month or this week that you have relied on Hashems Mercy and maybe... just maybe you can find it in yourself to extend forgiveness to others... Be Blessed...

just look at her face. she probably suffers more every day than most people suffer in a month

What Thomas did is inexcusable and unlike those who love turning their other cheek to get slammed once again, she meant what she said and for that she cannot be forgiven However, she did us a favor in that many people haven't the foggiest concept of where we came from and how long we've been there. "They ought to go home," she brazenly said, "to Poland and Germany and America and other place." POLAND? GERMANY? NO, NO, NO. Our home is Israel, plane and simply Israel. Had the Romans not expelled us we'd have never left, however there has always been a Jewish presence in Israel even when it was called Palestine by the Romans as punishment. They named it after the name of our blood enemies, the Philistines. Some people are now asking themselves "where DO the Jews belong?" They are discovering that we belong and have belonged in Israel. One of the big ten lies that are currently circulating about Israel is that the Europeans felt guilty, so they "gave" us "Palestine." Take a look at an old issue of the Jerusalem Post...it was called the Palestinian Post back then. The term Palestinian to mean the Arabs who were living in Israel didn't become well known until the mid '20s and did not come out fully until the organization of the PLO, now the PA.. Helen Thomas was about 30 when Israel resettled as a Jewish nation; shame on her for furthering the myth that we didn't always exist in that part of the world. And shame on the Koran that never mentions Jerusalem even ONCE while it is mentioned in Torah over 600 times. What Thomas was said is heinous and totally unforgivable, but she did raise questions that point to the fact that the Shoah not only happened but that our "home" is not in Germany or Poland. Those who are the enemies of the Jews are the enemies of Hashem; may she live a long life to regret her publically saying what she said. She will, of course, blame the Jews for her new status as pariah, but she has only herself to blame.

I don't have to forgive the Helen Thomases of this world, that is up to HaShem. Her family background speaks for her, and she has no regrets other than her fall from grace.

"this old, confused woman" "it's not our job to decide whether she meant it or not" She's playing with words and you believe her. She said she "regrets" what she said - she didn't retract her words. She said she thinks people in the middle east should treat each other with "respect" - she didn't state that it should be by both sides. That isn't an apology. It's an apologetic. And you take pity on her?

I'll forgive Helen when hell freezes over

Forgivness has nothing to do with Helen Thomas. It has to do with you.

It's scary because for so many years,she was a respected journalist. How many others out there like her, who are supposedly being "objective"

You put my thoughts in writing Rabbi. Helen was always like that, she wasn't just having a senior moment and those comments just slipped out. Pleased to hear that others are not siding with her and welcomed her back in. Those places that canceled her speaking engagements did the right thing, and proud of them for doing so. Her comments reflected HATE towards the Jews. A Hate that says they don't deserve to have their own land back. A Hate that caused Jews to be elsewhere, like Germany and Poland to begin with. A place where others who Hate Jews can control them. No we should not forgive Helen. By not forgiving her, we put a stop to these hate speeches against us. A Hate speech that caused the Holocaust to begin with. And you are right her apology was not sincere, but those words she spoke needed to be sent out to the world also. Not for the purpose to forgive her, but an example of what she should of said to begin with, IF she didn't hate Jews to begin with.

For an anti semite it is quite an achievement

I DO think we should forgive her. We are not the Almighty, and it's not our job to decide whether she meant it or not. Although, I can't stand her. I do know that if I expect to be automatically forgiven by the Almighty I have to be willing to forgive. What kind of a message are you sending out. Hold a grudge? She said the words out of her mouth. The judgement is up to G_d.

By virtue of Helen Thomas' reprehensible comments, she has admittedly denied history, manifested her ignorance and prejudice, and vitiated her reputation and career.

I do agree Mrs Thomas said something really wrong. I have not red any of her articles, so I can not judge her past work. Being Jewish I was offended by her statement, but at the end of the days there are many more important anti Jewish villains worthy of the attention the world is giving to this old, confused woman. We should not start a manhunt now. The whole situation of mutual blaming makes me very tired ( and I do stand by the side of Israel).