A Palestinian-Nigerian journalist's insult aimed at Hakeem Jeffries has blown up into a racism fight — bad for Democratic leaders trying to avoid scrutiny of pro-Israel donor money, and a flashpoint for the party's left.

• Rula Jebreal called Jeffries a "bought and paid for" errand boy of AIPAC, used the word "monkey," then apologized unconditionally.
• Critics called it anti-Black racism; Jebreal is half Nigerian and identifies as Afro-Palestinian, which most coverage left out.
• The counter-argument: the outrage is a shield to make criticizing Jeffries over donor money look racist.
• AIPAC has endorsed and funded more than half of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is why the group's condemnation lands as self-interested.
• Jeffries just put three strongly pro-Israel Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, signaling no policy shift if Democrats win the House.

Outlook: The fight over AIPAC money inside the Democratic Party will keep sharpening as Jeffries positions himself to be the next House speaker.