Farewell to Helen Thomas

I met Thomas last year in Washington DC, she attended an event with Norton Mezvinsky and myself that was organised by The Washington Report.

(LONDON) - Helen Thomas, one of the last truth tellers, died last Saturday. Thomas was the longest serving White House correspondent, she grilled 10 USA presidents in an astonishing career that started in 1943. She was 92.

The heroic lady survived 10 American presidents but was cornered by a single Rabbi who videotaped her suggesting that Israelis should "get out of Palestine" and "go home" to Poland, Germany and America.

This truthful comment brought down widespread condemnation that ended Thomas’ White House career.

The way in which Thomas was treated was just another indication of the power of the Jewish Lobby and the manner in which it interferes with freedom of speech and other elementary freedoms.

I met Thomas last year in Washington DC, she attended an event with Norton Mezvinsky and myself that was organised by The Washington Report.

Thomas was very weak but her brightness and humanism were shining.

Thomas will be remembered as a brave and unique voice of truth. I can’t wait to meet her in heaven.

Gilad Atzmon was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem (Composition and Jazz). As a multi-instrumentalist he plays Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, Clarinet and Flutes. His album Exile was the BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. He has been described by John Lewis on the Guardian as the “hardest-gigging man in British jazz".

Gilad Atzmon's essays are widely published. His novels 'Guide to the perplexed' and 'My One And Only Love' have been translated into 24 languages.

As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Water Boys and many others. Learn more about Gilad by visiting his Website