Hakeem Jeffries targeted by journalist in racial controversy

Afro-Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal has faced backlash after using racially charged language to criticize House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries during an appearance on the podcast ‘The Left Hook’. While discussing Jeffries’ support for Israel and his ties to the pro-Israel lobbying organization AIPAC, Jebreal referred to him as an ‘AIPAC monkey’ and an ‘errand boy’.

When questioned about the racial connotations of the term, Jebreal suggested she was referencing the ‘three monkeys’ imagery of seeing, hearing, and speaking no evil. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned the remarks, stating there is no non-racist way to use such language toward a Black man. Jebreal has since issued an ‘unconditional’ apology for her choice of words while maintaining her political criticisms of Jeffries and AIPAC.