Rula Jebreal Apologizes for Comments on Hakeem Jeffries

Anti-Israel journalist Rula Jebreal issued an unconditional apology after referring to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as an ‘AIPAC monkey’ during a recent interview. The remark sparked condemnation from the Congressional Black Caucus and multiple Democratic lawmakers, who labeled it as overtly racist.

Jebreal made the comment while appearing on Wajahat Ali’s podcast, ‘The Left Hook,’ on Wednesday. She accused Jeffries, who is Black, of advancing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) agenda and criticized his support for Israel. “His name is Hakeem. ‘Hakeem’ is an Arabic name which means ‘healer.’ He’s not a healer, he’s a divider,” Jebreal noted.

Jebreal added, “He is a bought and paid by AIPAC monkey.” She asserted, “With all due respect— and I don’t mean it in a racist way.” She concluded, “He is just basically an errand boy, and we’re done and tired.”

Following her statement, podcast host Ali sought to clarify the intent behind her words. “I know you corrected yourself, Rula, but I just want to address it,” Ali remarked. “Using monkey to anyone Black, it has terrible racial connotations. But I think you caught yourself and said you didn’t mean it with any racial animosity.” Jebreal responded, “I didn’t,” referencing an adage involving three monkeys metaphorically.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) dismissed Jebreal’s explanation. “To be clear, there isn’t a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries — a Black man — a ‘monkey’ or ‘errand boy,’” read their statement on X. The CBC further criticized Ali, emphasizing the need for higher standards in public discourse and rejecting anti-Black racism.

Numerous Democratic lawmakers expressed their disapproval. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo, posted, “Blatantly racist and offensive rhetoric should be condemned by everyone, across the political spectrum. Period.” Similarly, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., wrote, “Calling a Black man a ‘monkey’ is racist. Full stop.” He criticized the silence from some progressives over the matter.

Jebreal later apologized online, stating, “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.” Her apology was met with skepticism.

Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd commented on the apology, noting, “She reasserts the accusation first and tucks the apology at the end. That’s not confessing, that’s a closing argument with ‘sorry’ bolted on.” He observed that the podcast clarification and the written apology were intended for different audiences.

Neither Jebreal nor Jeffries immediately responded to requests for comment. Julia Bonavita, a media and culture writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot, can be followed at @juliabonavita13 for more news updates.