Helen Thomas, former dean of the White House Press Corps, reportedly told Playboy in an interview for their April issue that Jews have power over the White House and Congress, who are in the pockets of the Israeli lobbies.

Thomas left her post at the White House after she publicly made anti-Israel comments last May, telling the Jews they should "get the hell out of Palestine."

Open gallery view Former White House correspondent Helen Thomas Credit: AP

The former reporter told Playboy that the Israeli lobbies "are funded by wealthy supporters, including those from Hollywood. Same thing with the financial markets. Theres total control."

When asked about her comments that ultimately cost her her job, Thomas told Playboy that "everybody knows my feelings about the Palestinians," adding "sure, the Israelis have a right to exist—but where they were born, not to come and take someone elses home. Ive had it up to here with the violations against the Palestinians. Why shouldnt I say it? I knew exactly what I was doing—I was going for broke. I had reached the point of no return. You finally get fed up."

Thomas also clarified that when she said the Jews should go back to Poland,Germany and America, that she was not referring to the concentration camps, but rather that "they should stay where they are because theyre not being persecuted—not since World War II, not since 1945."

However, when asked about the Holocaust, Thomas told the magazine that "theres nothing wrong with remembering it [the Holocaust], but why do we have to constantly remember? Were not at fault."

She then launched into criticism of Israel and its alleged oppression of the Palestinians, accusing the Jews of lacking introspection.

"Do the Jews ever look at themselves?" asked Thomas, "why are they always right? Because they have been oppressed throughout history, I know. And they have this persecution. Thats true, but they shouldnt use that to dominate."

The former reporter told Playboy that she is not anti-Jewish, just anti – Israel, saying she thinks Jews are wonderful people. :Im not anti-Jewish," clarified Thomas, "Im anti-Zionist. I am anti Israel taking what doesnt belong to it. If you have a home and youre kicked out of that home, you dont come and kick someone else out."