Killing Without Consequence is a new campaign calling on the Israeli government to bring criminal charges against Maxim Vinogradov, the border police officer who killed Ziad Jilani after a routine traffic accident on his way home from Friday prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque. Jilani’s case, which Mondoweiss covered extensively at the time, is being used to raise the larger issue of indiscriminate Israeli violence against Palestinians and the need for accountability.

From the Killing Without Consequence website:

Ziad Jilani was a dedicated, loving father and husband who was murdered by Maxim Vinogradov, a member of the Israeli border police, because he got in a small car accident. His death reveals how at any moment, a Palestinian can be randomly killed, labeled as a terrorist and have their death dismissed. Since the beginning of the second Intifada at least 6,444 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli security forces. During this time no Jewish Israeli soldier has been charged with murder for killing a Palestinian. We are working to hold Israeli soldiers accountable for their actions to prevent more senseless deaths.

The video above features interviews with lawyer Michael Sfard, attorney Hassan Tabajah and journalist Amira Hass and shares startling new information about Vinogradov, including incriminating comments he made over Facebook and other social media sites which reveal a deeply racist and violent worldview.

From Facebook:



(Image: Killing Without Consequence)

And an Israeli social network (translated from Hebrew):

Favorite food: Arabs Things that you love to do: To hit, violence, love Hobbies: Hitting and destroying things Favorite sports: Undocumented Arab Workers What turns me on: Violence I belong to: Extreme Right Things I am looking for: Red Headed Arabs

The campaign has started a petition calling on State Prosecutor Yehuda Weinstein to bring charges against Vinogradov. It reads:

To State Prosecutor Yehuda Weinstein: On the 11th of June 2010 Ziad Jilani was extra judicially executed by

a Border Patrol policeman, Maxim Vinogradov. Though the investigation

found much evidence to that effect, Police Interior Interrogations

(“Machash”) declared the case closed for lack of evidence and your

predecessor State Prosecutor, Menachem Mazuz, upheld their decision. As you know, on January 4th of this year, Ziad’s widow and 3 daughters

submitted an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court, through the

al-Mazaan Center for Human Rights, demanding that you, as state

prosecutor, end this travesty of justice and bring criminal charges

against Ziad Jillani’s killers, Maxim Vinogradov and

Shadi Heir Al Din, for murder or manslaughter and Negligent Homicide,

respectively. As a supporter of justice and human rights, I support this appeal, and

add my voice to a growing number of people, who are concerned by the

message that the closing of this case sends to Israeli soldiers and

that would like to see justice for Ziad Jilani.

In addition, there will be a memorial for Jilani held in front of the Israeli Consulate in New York City on June 11, the 2nd anniversary of his death.

You can sign the petition and learn more about the campaign at killingwithoutconsequence.com.