Stoll, Glickman & Bellina, CAIR-NY Secure $125K Settlement in Case Involving Erasure of Palestinian-Themed Student Artwork
(NEW YORK, NY, 5/11/2026) - Stoll, Glickman & Bellina LLP and the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today announced a $125,000 settlement with the Half Hollow Hills Central School District on behalf of a Muslim student whose Palestine-themed artwork was painted over by school officials following outside pressure campaigns targeting Palestinian expression.
CAIR-NY and co-counsel Stoll, Glickman & Bellina LLP filed the federal lawsuit in March 2025 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging violations of the student’s First Amendment rights and discriminatory treatment based on her religion, identity, and protected political expression.
SEE: NY school district pays $125k settlement to HS student whose Palestine-related art they erased
The lawsuit stemmed from a September 2024 incident at Half Hollow Hills High School West in which the student’s artwork was partially erased after a photograph of it circulated in a large pro-Israel Facebook group where users urged community members to pressure school officials to remove it.
The student’s artwork included a watermelon featuring a keffiyeh design, Arabic writing, and the phrase “Peace Be Upon You.” The watermelon and keffiyeh are widely recognized symbols of Palestinian identity and solidarity.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Staff Attorney Christina John said:
“Students do not surrender their constitutional rights when they enter school grounds. This settlement sends a clear message that viewpoint discrimination and the censorship of Palestinian expression cannot be justified under the guise of neutrality. No student should be interrogated, silenced, or punished for peacefully expressing their identity or solidarity with oppressed people.”
CAIR-NY, which supported the student and her family during the case, said the outcome underscores growing concerns about the suppression of Palestinian identity and advocacy in educational settings.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT
Christina John, CAIR-NY Staff Attorney, CJohn@cair.com
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com