A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on September 1 by a principal of an Arabic school after being fired for defending shirts with "Intifada NYC" written on them, the New York Times reported.

Intifada was the name of the Palestinian offensives against Israel launched by Yasser Arafat, which included suicide bombings targeting civilians, although the term has been used to label other uprisings in the name of liberation. When translated into English, it means "uprising" or "resistance" in reference to oppression.

The Associated Press reports that the former principal of Khalil Gibran International Academy, Debbie Almontaser, was fired after giving an interview with the New York Post in 2007 where she discussed the selling of the t-shirts by a group called Arab Women in the Arts and Media.

"I don't believe the intention is to have any of that kind of (violence) in New York City. I think it's pretty much an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society ... and shaking off oppression," she was quoted as saying.

The federal judge dismissed her lawsuit, based on her belief that her free speech was violated, because she did the interview was part of her job duties.