Democratic lawmakers erupt after anti-Israel journalist calls Hakeem Jeffries an AIPAC monkey in viral rant

Anti-Israel journalist Rula Jebreal apologized "unconditionally" after calling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., an "AIPAC monkey" during an interview earlier this week, a remark the Congressional Black Caucus and several Democratic lawmakers condemned as blatantly racist.

The comment came as Jebreal appeared on Wajahat Alis "The Left Hook" podcast on Wednesday, where she accused Jeffries — who is Black — of carrying out the agenda of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and blasted his support for Israel.

"His name is Hakeem. Hakeem is an Arabic name which means healer. Hes not a healer, hes a divider," Jebreal said.

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"He is a bought and paid by AIPAC monkey," she added. "With all due respect — and I dont mean it in a racist way." Jebreal continued, "He is just basically an errand boy, and were done and tired." 

Immediately following Jebreals comments, host Ali sought to clarify the meaning behind her remarks.

"I know you corrected yourself, Rula, but I just want to address it," Ali said. "Using monkey to anyone Black, it has terrible racial connotations. But I think you caught yourself and said you didnt mean it with any racial animosity."

"I didnt," Jebreal replied. "Theres these three monkeys — one, I cannot hear, I cannot see, I cannot speak – it reminds me of these three monkeys."

However, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) rejected Jebreals explanation of her controversial comments, with other Democratic leaders following suit.

"To be clear, there isnt a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries — a Black man — a monkey or errand boy," the group said in a statement posted to X.

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The CBC then pointed to Ali, the podcasts host and a staunch critic of Israel, adding, "This is what happens when we hold ourselves to such low standards for whats allowable in our discourse — people get comfortable being openly bigoted."

"We have to stop platforming and trafficking in anti-Black racism, whether its on the political right or the left," the group concluded.

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Her comments also drew criticism from several Democratic lawmakers, who took to X to condemn the inflammatory statement.

"Blatantly racist and offensive rhetoric — it should be condemned by everyone, across the political spectrum. Period," Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo, posted online.

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Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., echoed the same sentim