Hakeem Jeffries faces backlash after journalist calls him an “AIPAC monkey”

Journalist Rula Jebreal has faced intense condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and the Congressional Black Caucus after referring to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as an “AIPAC monkey” and an “errand boy.” The remarks were made during an appearance on Wajahat Ali’s “The Left Hook” podcast while discussing Jeffries' support for Israel and his ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Jebreal attempted to clarify that her comments were not intended to be racist, suggesting she was referencing the “three wise monkeys” who see, hear, and speak no evil. However, the Congressional Black Caucus rejected this explanation, stating, “To be clear, there isn’t a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries—a Black man—a ‘monkey’ or ‘errand boy.’”

Several Democratic representatives, including Ritchie Torres, Joe Neguse, and Ayanna Pressley, also denounced the language as racist and offensive. Following the backlash, Jebreal issued an unconditional apology, describing her choice of words as “inappropriate and offensive” and stating they “should never have been used,” though she maintained her political criticism regarding Jeffries' relationship with AIPAC.