JERUSALEM (AP) — The top Palestinian envoy to the U.S. has honored longtime American journalist and former White House correspondent Helen Thomas in an award ceremony.

A Palestinian official says Maen Erekat, the PLO representative in Washington, hosted Thomas at a dinner at his residence.

The storied columnist, who is 91, stepped down two years ago from her job with the Hearst Newspaper chain after video footage emerged showing her outside the White House saying Israelis should get "out of Palestine."

The Palestinian official says the event was to honor Thomas for her "stand against the occupation." He spoke on condition of anonymity because of what he described as the issue’s sensitivity.

Israeli daily Haaretz said the event occurred on Sunday.