Rula Jebreal apologizes for racist remarks toward Hakeem Jeffries

Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal has issued an unconditional apology after referring to U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as an ‘AIPAC monkey’ during an appearance on the podcast ‘The Left Hook’. The remarks, made while discussing Jeffries’ political ties and financial support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), drew immediate condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups.

Jebreal attempted to clarify her comments during the broadcast, stating she was invoking the metaphor of the ‘three wise monkeys’—those who see, hear, and speak no evil—rather than intending a racist slur. However, the Congressional Black Caucus responded that there is ‘no non-racist way’ to refer to a Black man as a ‘monkey’ or ‘errand boy,’ noting the historical use of such language in anti-Black rhetoric.

Other political figures, including Representative Joe Neguse and Representative Ritchie Torres, also condemned the language as ‘blatantly racist and offensive.’ In a subsequent statement on X, Jebreal expressed regret, stating that while she remains critical of Jeffries' relationship with AIPAC, the term used was ‘inappropriate and offensive and should never have been used.’