A Palestinian youth runs away from Jewish settlers during clashes, which according to witnesses, erupted after settlers cut down olive trees belonging to the West Bank village of Asira al-Qibilya near Nablus July 3, 2011. - Reuters/File Photo

JERUSALEM: Israel is giving West Bank settlers tear gas and stun grenades to help repel any violent protests by Palestinians when their leaders try to secure UN membership next month, a newspaper said on Tuesday.

Haaretz said the military had been giving special training to settlement security chiefs and their teams at army bases. Most settlers already have assault rifles or pistols.

“There is also a decision, in principle, to equip the chief security officers of settlements with the means for dispersing demonstrations,” the paper said, citing a document in its possession. “These would include tear gas and stun grenades.” The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the report.