Hizbullah's Moussawi Salutes Former White House Press Dean's 'Courage'

Hizbullah MP Hussein Moussawi on Wednesday saluted veteran U.S. reporter Helen Thomas' "courage" for her comments against Israel, which sparked a furor Washington and forced her to retire.

"Respected American journalist Helen Thomas' answer shows ... a courageous, bold, honest and free opinion which expresses what people across the globe believe: that Israel is a racist state of murderers and thugs," Moussawi said in a statement.

Thomas, who is of Lebanese descent, retired on Monday after coming under fire for her controversial remarks about Israel.

Asked at a May 27 "Jewish Heritage Celebration" whether she had any comments on Israel, Thomas replied: "Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine.

"They can go home, Poland, Germany, and America and everywhere else."

Thomas, the longest-serving reporter in the White House press corps, has since apologized for her comments.(AFP)