Controversy Arises from Comments by Rula Jebreal on Hakeem Jeffries

Rula Jebreal, an anti-Israel journalist, apologized “unconditionally” for a comment made about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. She referred to him as an “AIPAC monkey” during an interview, a statement deemed blatantly racist by the Congressional Black Caucus and several Democratic lawmakers.

Jebreal’s comments were made during her appearance on Wajahat Ali’s podcast “The Left Hook”. She accused Jeffries, who is Black, of furthering American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) agenda and criticized his support for Israel. “His name is Hakeem. ‘Hakeem’ is an Arabic name meaning ‘healer.’ He’s not a healer, he’s a divider,” she stated.

Jebreal added, “He is a bought and paid by AIPAC monkey,” while asserting, “I don’t mean it in a racist way.” She continued, “He is just basically an errand boy, and we’re done and tired.” Host Ali aimed to clarify the remarks, noting, “Using monkey to anyone Black has terrible racial connotations. But I think you caught yourself.” Jebreal explained, “There’s these three monkeys — one I cannot hear, I cannot see, I cannot speak. It reminds me of these three monkeys.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) rejected any explanation for her words, emphasizing, “To be clear, there isn’t a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries — a Black man — a ‘monkey’ or ‘errand boy,’” they stated. They addressed Ali’s role, saying, “This happens when we hold low standards for what’s allowable in discourse — people become comfortable being openly bigoted.”

The CBC urged, “We have to stop platforming and trafficking in anti-Black racism.” Jebreal’s comments drew criticism from other Democratic lawmakers on platform X. “Blatantly racist and offensive rhetoric — it should be condemned by everyone,” Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo, posted. Similarly, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., asserted, “Calling a Black man a ‘monkey’ is racist. Full stop.”

Jebreal responded online, “I am disgusted and horrified that Hakeem Jeffries is taking money from AIPAC amidst Israel’s genocide in Palestine,” she expressed. However, she admitted, “A term used was inappropriate and offensive.” Her apology seemed insufficient to some, like Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations. He remarked, “She reasserts the accusation first and tucks the apology at the end. That’s not confessing; that’s a closing argument with ‘sorry’ bolted on.”

The incident did not receive immediate comments from Jebreal or Jeffries.