Democratic Lawmakers Condemn Journalist for "AIPAC Monkey" Remark

Democratic lawmakers denounced left-wing Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal for referring to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as an "AIPAC monkey."

Jebreal made the comment during a podcast interview with progressive commentator Wajahat Ali earlier this week. She stated, "He is a bought and paid by AIPAC monkey," adding, "With all due respect and I don't mean it in a racist way. He is just basically an errand boy, and we're done and tired." The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) promptly denounced the remark and called out Ali for platforming it.

The CBC stated, "To be clear, there isn't a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries a Black man a 'monkey' or 'errand boy.'" Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) wrote on X, "This is reprehensibly racist language that must be condemned." Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) also condemned the comments. Ali responded that he called out the remark in real time and that Jebreal has unconditionally apologized for her words, regardless of the context or her intent.

Jebreal, in a statement on X, wrote, "I am disgusted and horrified that Hakeem Jeffries is taking money from AIPAC amidst Israel's genocide in Palestine. That said, a term that I used to describe him was inappropriate and offensive and should never have been used. I apologize unconditionally." Jeffries, Torres, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have remained staunch supporters of Israel. Jebreal has worked as a foreign policy analyst for multiple publications, including MSNBC. Joy Reid later had Rula and Wajahat on her show.