In the US, Rula Jebreal apologizes for remark about Hakeem Jeffries
In the United States, Palestinian journalist and author Rula Jebreal faced criticism after calling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries an “AIPAC monkey” during a podcast on Friday. She criticized the politician for his support for Israel, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The journalist’s explanation
Jebreal also called Jeffries an “errand boy” and said she had no racist intent. The podcast host pointed out that the word “monkey” carries serious racial connotations. In response, the journalist said she meant the image of the three monkeys — those that see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.
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Reaction in Congress
The Congressional Black Caucus said in a post on X that there is no non-racist way to call a Black man a “monkey” or an “errand boy.” New York Congressman Ritchie Torres also wrote that calling a Black man a “monkey” is racism.
After the criticism, Jebreal published a post on X expressing outrage over Jeffries’ support for Israel and the fact that he, according to her claim, receives money from AIPAC. At the same time, she acknowledged that the expression she used was inappropriate and offensive and should not have been used. The journalist apologized unconditionally.
