US: New York Education Department wronged Arabic-language principal

New York: US officials have ruled that the New York City Education Department discriminated against the founding principal of an Arabic-language school who lost her job after she made controversial remarks about the word "intifada."

Debbie Almontaser's supporters released a copy of the ruling on Friday.

In it, the US federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said the NYC Education Department "succumbed to the very bias that creation of the school was intended to dispel."

Representatives for the Education Department did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Almontaser wants more than $300,000 in compensation for court costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

She also wants to be reinstated to her old job. The EEOC has asked both parties to negotiate a settlement.

Intifada is a term commonly used to refer to the Palestinian uprising against Israel.