Helen Thomas calls group's (ADL) criticism of opinions 'intimidation'

Defending her controversial comments in Dearborn, journalist Helen Thomas said on a radio show aired Tuesday that a prominent Jewish group was intimidating her. And she maintained her belief that Zionists are controlling U.S. foreign policy.

"I just think that people should be enlightened as to who is in charge of the opinion in this country," Thomas, 90, told the Marion, Ohio, radio station, WMRN-AM. "I mean, they've gotten the First Amendment."

In response, ADL Director Abe Foxman told the Free Press today that the group has a right to criticize Thomas, whose bigoted comments are "doing body blows to her image."

After she said Thursday in Dearborn that Zionists control major U.S. institutions, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, Abe Foxman, said her comments were "classic...anti-Semitism." He called upon groups and universities to disassociate themselves from her by removing any honors in her name. Hours later, Wayne State University pulled a journalism award in her name.
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