"Hardly anyone is defending what Helen Thomas said, but weighed against a stellar 50-year career asking the tough questions we need journalists to ask, I don't think that error in judgment merits relegating her to the dustbin of political discussion."

In addition to which, the question of what she was actually saying is a moot point.

Did she say All Jews should leave Israel?

No.

She has had that view attributed to her though and is being punished for it.