In their own words

"I deeply regret my comments. ... They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."

Helen Thomas

"It wasn't angrily said. It was just said. It was insulting and hurtful."

Rabbi David Nesenoff, who recorded Thomas' remarks for his website

"I think she should and has apologized. Obviously, those remarks do not reflect, certainly, the opinion of most of the people here and certainly not of the administration."

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs

"Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trailblazer on the White House beat."

"Her suggestion that Israelis should go back to Poland and Germany is bigoted and shows a profound ignorance of history."

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League

"Helen had a special stature that she earned. That's what's so sad, in that she diminished what she earned."