Israelis Get Guidelines On Spotting Bombers
Suicide attacks have killed dozens of Israelis

August 30, 2002

Israeli police said they will issue guidelines to the public on Friday on how to spot tell-tale signs of a Palestinian suicide or car bomber.

Citizens are being urged to look out for clues such as individuals behaving suspiciously, wearing unseasonal attire or displaying bulges in their clothing.

Signs of a bomber

• Unseasonably warm attire
  
• Protruding bulges
  
• Sweating, mumbling or fidgeting
  
• Avoiding police
  
• Trying to fit into crowds
  

Members of the public are also advised on what to do if they identify a possible bomber.

More than a hundred Israelis have been killed in scores of Palestinian suicide attacks over the past few years.

The information is produced in a free pamphlet, entitled 'Only Together Will We Stop Terror'.

"The pamphlet is a result of months of deliberation in the security echelons," said police Chief Superintendent Avi Zelba.

Strange behaviour

The guidelines say attackers sometimes try to conceal explosives in heavy clothing, which might be inappropriate in hot weather.

It advises citizens to be suspicious of individuals who seem to be sweating too much, fidgeting with fashion accessories or mumbling to themselves.

It says other suspcious signs include individuals who are seen trying to avoid security personnel in public, or young people trying to fit into a crowd where they do not appear appear to belong.

As Israelis have become more vigilant in recent months, suicide bombers have employed new tactics to avoid detection, such as dying their hair to look more European and by dressing in Israeli army uniforms or as Othodox Jews.

The pamphlet says that in looking out for car bombs, people should be suspicious of mismatched licence plates, vehicles parked in unusual locations or if the car is weighed down at the back, because of explosives in the trunk.

'Stay calm'

Citizens who suspect a suicide attacker or car bomb are urged to stay calm, inform police immediately and keep the suspect in sight but at a safe distance.

The pamphlet was given the go-ahead after a debate over whether it might cause potential attackers to become change their methods.

"We balanced the public's right to know against our concern that the terrorists may become even more devious against detection," said Superintendent Zelba.

The free pamphlet will be available to the public at Israeli police stations and will also be issued to elementary schools.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2225097.stm