Columnist Who Told Israelis To “Get The Hell Out Of Palestine” Spoke At Event Honoring Dan Seals

Washington – Before igniting a controversy by saying that Israelis need to “get the hell out of Palestine,” former columnist Helen Thomas was the keynote speaker at an event celebrating the candidacy of Democrat Dan Seals. Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, resigned yesterday after the firestorm around her remarks reached the tipping point.

“Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) hosts her annual major fund-raiser on Friday in Chicago. Dubbed a women’s “power lunch,” it usually draws a who’s who of Democratic pols –and candidates who want to tap into her fund-raising network. This year, columnist Helen Thomas is the headliner.

“Expected in the audience: Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, the Honorable Alexi Giannoulias, and candidates for Congress, Scott Harper and Dan Seals and candidate for lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon.” (Lynn Sweet, “Schakowsky “power lunch” fund-raiser features Helen Thomas,” Chicago Sun-Times, May 6, 2010)

According to a release from Rep. Schakowsky’s campaign, Seals was one of many Democratic candidates whose “future leadership” was celebrated at the fundraiser:

“The lunch will also celebrate future leadership with a roster of Illinois’ elected officials and candidates including Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, the Honorable Alexi Giannoulias, and candidates for Congress, Scott Harper and Dan Seals and candidate for lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon.”
(Lynn Sweet, “Schakowsky “power lunch” fund-raiser features Helen Thomas,” Chicago Sun-Times, May 6, 2010)

“Dan Seals’ silence on the controversy surrounding Helen Thomas’ anti-Israeli remarks is deafening,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Chicago-area families should start asking themselves why Seals would associate himself with someone who believes that Israelis should ‘get out’ of their country and go home to Germany and Poland.”