Law and Human Rights Internship Programs in Palestine: Many individuals are deeply concerned about the plight of Palestinians and feel a strong desire to take action to improve their situation and fight against human rights abuses in the West Bank, Palestine. If you are a pre-law or law student, considering a career in the legal or human rights field, or simply passionate about these areas, interning in Palestine can be an incredibly valuable experience.
Interning in Palestine can provide you with an opportunity to gain hands-on, relevant experience, as well as helping you to enhance your resume while pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. By interning in Palestine, you can gain a new perspective and contribute to supporting oppressed people in a meaningful way.
Interns in Palestine typically work with local NGOs and human rights organizations, assisting with legal research, documentation, and analysis of human rights violations. They may also work on advocacy campaigns, assist with fundraising efforts, and participate in community outreach initiatives. These internships provide valuable insight into the unique challenges and complexities of human rights issues in the West Bank, as well as the legal framework and advocacy strategies being used to address these challenges.
Beyond the professional development opportunities, interning in Palestine also offers a chance to immerse oneself in the Palestinian culture, history, and politics of the region. Interns have the opportunity to engage with local communities, participate in cultural events, and gain a deeper understanding of the realities of life under occupation.
The Need For Law And Human Rights Interns In Palestine
Palestine is a country under a horrific occupation, creating a multitude of problems and hardships for Palestinians living in Palestine. The areas of the West Bank most affected by the Israeli occupation typically suffer from the worst human rights abuses as little regard is given for the dignity and human rights of Palestinians, the majority of whom live in areas governed by Israeli military law.
This also makes it difficult for big international legal or human rights NGOs to operate in the area and assist those in need, due to the restrictions imposed on them by Israel. Furthermore, these organizations can face difficulty hiring adequate international staff as they have difficulty obtaining the necessary work visas, which must be granted by Israel. This leads to a larger demand for volunteers rather than full time staff.
Palestinian Refugees
The occupation has caused Palestinians to be the longest suffering and largest group of refugees in the world. About 64% of Gaza’s population and 26% of the West Bank’s population are internally-displaced Palestinians, who face additional hardships due to their refugee status.
In the diaspora, there are around 7 millions Palestinians, most of whom are exiled and denied their right of return to their homeland by Israel. Many are still living in refugee camps in Syria, Jordan or Lebanon. In our programs, we focus on Palestinians living in the West Bank.
Where To Do A Human Rights And Law Internship In Palestine?
When considering where to intern in Palestine, there are numerous options to choose from. There are internship opportunities in bigger cities such as Ramallah, Hebron and Jerusalem which generally have more infrastructure to cater to interns.
However there are also opportunities in smaller cities such as Jericho, Bethlehem and Nablus, and in smaller villages, Bedouin villages and refugee camps. All of the areas in the West Bank suffer due to the Israeli occupation, but in a variety of different ways. It is also important to consider which kind of experience and lifestyle you wish to have.
For example, Ramallah is more westernized and has many more expats than other cities in Palestine, while Bethlehem is a fairly small city with many tourists. Inside the cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah, the effects of the occupation are less apparent. Jerusalem also attracts many tourists and the cost of living, is quite high comparatively. Cities like Nablus and Hebron are much more conservative, however daily life while cheaper than other Palestinian cities, is more affected by the Israeli Occupation.
Law And Human Rights In Hebron, Palestine
One fantastic option in this area can be taking the Law and Human Rights Internship Program with the Engage in Palestine. Hebron is a city right on the frontline of the Occupation, with Israeli settlers having occupied 20% of the Palestinian city. It is the only city in the West Bank that has settlers living inside the city itself.
The Israeli occupation established several checkpoints in parts of Hebron, which means that many Palestinians have to pass through them on a daily or regular basis. Note that our center is located in part of Hebron under Palestinian Authority Control where there are no checkpoints, but there are checkpoints within walking distance.
When crossing military checkpoints, Palestinians are often subjected to all kinds of abuse and harassment as well as having their human rights violated by the Israeli army. There is insufficient Palestinian support and little to no recourse available for the victims. These checkpoints may be closed at any time for any reason by the occupation, effectively besieging Palestinians in these areas, causing greater suffering.
For example, it can leave them unable to access critical services such as emergency medical care. In addition to the checkpoints inside of Hebron city, there are also military checkpoints on the way to surrounding villages and refugee camps (such as Al-Fawwar Refugee Camp).
All of these factors make Hebron an important city for internationals to see and experience.
Finding The Right Organization To Intern Or Volunteer With
When considering any sort of overseas internship or volunteer program, it is wise to do your research to ensure you will be investing your time and money into the right company and program for you. It is important to find the sort of work you wish to do, as well as being a fulfilling and enriching experience for you.
Go Overseas and Visit Palestine are both great websites to compare available internship opportunities. We recommend that once you find a program and an organization, to do additional research into testimonials and feedback from previous participants. This is one way to ensure that the organization is legitimate and that they provide fantastic internship or volunteering opportunities.
It is also wise to read the program details very carefully and contact the organization with any questions you have prior to signing a contract for an internship or volunteer program. This can help you to ensure that your expectations will be met or exceeded. There is nothing worse than coming all the way to Palestine, just to realize that the experience is not what you were promised.
Preparing For A Law/Human Rights Internship Role
Once you’ve found a program you’re excited about, it’s time to start preparing for your trip. Read up on entering Israel and the visa-on-arrival process, book your flight and also brush up on any Arabic that you already have.
Remember to pack appropriate clothing (bearing in mind the weather, the time of the year you will be there and Muslim attitudes towards dress). Remember to arrange travel insurance and notify your bank about your travel overseas if needed. Additionally, find a good guide book, bring sunscreen and bug spray (if you’re coming in summer) and consider whether you need to take any vaccines or medicines with you. Finally, spend some time browsing our website, which has a lot of useful information and articles to help you prepare before your arrival.
Internship Programs That Have A Real Impact
All of our Law and Human Rights internship programs are well researched, targeted, and sustainable. We aim to make a difference to the local Palestinian community including Palestinian refugees, women, children and youth for the long term. Our programs foster shared and mutual learning, for both our community and our interns.
During your human rights and law internship, you will gain insights into Palestinian daily life, society, education, human rights and laws, the understanding and knowledge that you gain, will better inform you, allowing you to have a more significant impact during your program. Your internship is an opportunity to not only make a genuine impact on the lives of others in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine but also your own life.
International interns are assigned a liaison manager to allocate their working time and oversee the development of the critical skills necessary to help local Palestinians. Applicants with a background in law, legal issues or Palestinian human rights are preferred, but the Engage in Palestine looks to welcome all who can assist in any capacity.
Here you may find the list of current Law and Human Rights programs in Palestine:
In our Law and Human Rights internships in Palestine, you can:
- Help provide legal aid to Palestinian people in West Bank, Palestine
- Work in a Palestinian local law firm or with an NGO
- Help protect human rights in Hebron and campaign for change
- Work with organizations like charities or Palestinian NGOs
Below you will find a summary of four of our most popular programs in the category of Law and Human Rights
1. Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship
This internship program is ideal for students and scholars of law, social sciences, academics, human rights, and anyone who is interested in the Palestinian legal systems operating in the West Bank, Palestine. The Palestinian Laws program aims to provide a full understanding of legislations applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the internship program, interns will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal religious institutions as well as legal clinics to witness the enactment of laws, decision making processes, court rulings, legal negotiations, mediations and the variety of social spaces they concern.
This internship in Palestinian Law & Legal Practices is designed to create dialogue between participants and Palestinian legal experts, as well as introduce participants to one of the most complex legal systems offering them an opportunity to learn about Palestinian Law, Humanitarian Law, and the issues surrounding Palestine and Israel.
2. The Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program
The Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program at the Engage in Palestine in the city of Hebron, Palestine is designed to introduce the subject of Palestinian human rights in an environment that will help you grow both personally and professionally, alongside giving you the opportunity to study and practice Ammiya (Palestinian Arabic). This program gives you three hours of Arabic tuition for each week that you join us.
Additionally, you will undertake visits and meetings in and around Hebron organized by us. These visits include human rights organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Palestinian refugee camps (more information below), and attending meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers and students.
You may also have presentations and meetings with Palestinians at our Center. Depending on the length of your stay, you may also have the opportunity to give your own presentations about human rights to Palestinian youth and students. All of these visits, presentations and meetings will give you new insight and knowledge to further cement your studies in a practical way.
3. Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees in the West Bank
This volunteer program is for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, retirees and anyone interested in volunteering with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank – there are a plethora of ways you can do this. First and foremost, you can work with children in Palestinian refugee camps, either teaching English or creating other workshops or activities to engage with them.
This program provides you with three hours of Arabic classes per week, which will help to build your skills to communicate with the local community in their own language. You may also get to learn more conversational Arabic when interacting with Palestinian refugees.
While there are schools in these camps, they are generally underdeveloped and lack many of the basic resources to fulfill their students’ educational needs. We aim to help bridge this gap with this program and give these students extra support. Further, volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian human rights organizations, community centers, international NGOs, and charity organizations to advocate for the rights of refugees. Participants can also create educational workshops for Palestinian children, youth, women and the local community in general. These workshops are crucial because they teach new skills, as well as foster cultural exchange.
4. The Palestine And Israel In Context Internship Program
The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship Program is for students at the undergraduate and graduate level, professionals, retirees and anybody interested in the political history and present of Palestine and Israel. This internship program is especially ideal for students of the humanities and social sciences, who are looking for ways to better understand the Israeli Occupation of Palestine first-hand.
By taking part in this program, you will be able to better understand and grasp the effects of the occupation in-person, and witness the reality and hear genuine opinions of everyday people instead of only political headlines. We welcome all majors such as political sciences, international relations, non-profit management, as well as other disciplines of the humanities department.
Further, the Palestine and Israel in Context Internship Program is ideal for individuals studying political sciences, Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, Islamic studies, or Palestine and Israel, and are looking to frame that experience within a cultural context. Interns will receive the opportunity to explore the occupation in the West Bank as well as meet Palestinian civilians, local actors and families who are subjected to Israeli military law.
If students are looking for a language experience combined with cultural immersion and political research, consider our Palestine and Israel in Context program which gives you an in-depth perspective on the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.
Combined Law And Human Rights Internship
Engage in Palestine runs a combined Law and Human Rights internship program as well as separate versions of each track to channel help to where it’s needed most. International interns can work with the Center for as little as one week and up to 13 weeks, to work with the local community, providing awareness of fundamental human rights and how to exercise them in the face of Israeli aggression.
Program Duration And Timing
For all of the following law and human rights programs, volunteers and interns can choose how long they wish to participate, anywhere from 1-13 weeks and at any time of the year.
Looking For Summer Law and Human Rights Internships?
Engage in Palestine offers students and others with a summer break a range of unforgettable summer Law and Human Rights internships in Palestine and in Hebron, West Bank in particular. During your stay, you will make new friends from all over the world while experiencing Palestine’s diverse culture and gaining practical in-person experience. If you are looking for an internship opportunity in Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East, then join us in Hebron in a safe and fun environment.
Our Summer Internships
Our summer Law and Human Rights internship programs combine Arabic language focus with a full immersion and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics and history. They includes visits to Bedouin areas (e.g. Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages, organizations and community centers. These internship programs are suitable for anyone over the age of 18 with an ability to communicate in English.
Thanks to our collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, Volunteer in Palestine can provide students with academic credit so you can intern with us while also working towards your degree. However, even if you are not a current student – you are more than welcome to join us in summer!
While we run our internship program year-round, there are some differences in summer. This is due to factors such as school holidays, the weather and it being when we are at our busiest and most full of life at Engage in Palestine. However, no matter what time of year you join us, there will be many exciting activities and opportunities for you to enjoy.
Arabic Tuition For Interns In Palestine
As a volunteer or intern in our programs in the West Bank, you will receive 3 hours of Arabic lessons for each week you spend with us, taught by a knowledgeable and experienced Palestinian teacher. These lessons will be tailored to your Arabic level to help build your understanding of the language and will be taught one-on-one or in small groups.
Learning Arabic will not only help you navigate your new life in Hebron, but it also allows you to communicate with and help locals in their own language. You will have plenty of chances to practice Arabic outside of the classroom, when talking with locals, taking a taxi, or ordering from a restaurant, etc. If you are already proficient in Arabic, you will be able to engage with Palestinians in their own language in your free time and throughout your time at our Center.
Immersion In Palestinian Culture And Daily Life
In addition to studying colloquial Arabic, participants will get to be immersed in and experience Palestinian culture, daily life and politics. Included in your program are visits in and around Hebron, such as to the old city, textile factories, and other culturally significant sites. Participants will have a range of additional different visits that are relevant to the specific program they have chosen.
In addition to the interesting visits and tours of Hebron and its Old City, volunteers also have time to visit the other fascinating cities of the West Bank, which comprise much of the Holy Land. Many also have interesting nightlife and cultural features to explore as well!
An Atmosphere of Cultural Exchange
Many participants that join us really enjoy the easy working environment at our Center and there is always a mixture of international volunteers, interns and students with the permanent Palestinian staff. Most participants find this creates a really interesting atmosphere of cultural exchange.
Law And Human Rights Internships In Palestine Highlights
Engage in Palestine in Palestine offers personalized Law and Human Rights internship programs that are tailored to meet your individual needs, goals, and interests. Some of the program highlights include:
- Building new friendships with volunteers, interns, students, visitors, and local residents of the Center.
- Living in and exploring the charming city of Hebron.
- The Law and Human Rights internships will provide you with an opportunity to gain firsthand experience of one of the most politically complex and dynamic regions of the Middle East.
- Immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and daily life.
- The opportunity to practice conversational Arabic with the local Palestinian community.
- Language classes in MSA, Levantine, or the Colloquial Palestinian dialect, either in a one-on-one setting or in small groups.
- Our center is staffed by highly qualified and attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds, who are eager and enthusiastic to assist you.
- Participating in a range of educational, social, and community activities organized by the Center to provide a space for locals, refugees, volunteers, and interns to meet, socialize, and learn.
- Experiencing the hospitality of Palestine by participating in Engage in Palestine’s activities and during your free time.
- Gaining a deep understanding of the refugee situation in Palestine and the West Bank.
- The Internship in the West Bank Program allows for days off, giving you the opportunity to visit unique tourist attractions from a native perspective, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
- Free time to visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Program fees cover guided tours and activities, Arabic language tuition, accommodation, breakfast, and 24/7 program assistance from pre-departure to the end of your program.
- Upon completion of the program, the Engage in Palestine will provide participants with a certificate.
Our Reviews And Community Awards
Engage in Palestine has welcomed over 1,000 individuals from all over the world since 2011. While we continuously develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, the center’s fundamental mission remains the same: to connect, teach and develop individuals within the local and international community.
We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. Engage in Palestine was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “best language school”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.”
In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Engage in Palestine’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. Engage in Palestine continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs
Furthermore, Engage in Palestine programs, including these internships in Hebron, Palestine, have more than:
- 570+ Reviews (96%) on Gooverseas.com
- 100+ Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Summary
In conclusion, participating in the Law and Human Rights internship programs at the Engage in Palestine in Palestine can be a truly unique and rewarding experience for those interested in making a positive impact on human rights issues and gaining a deeper understanding of the Palestinian culture and daily life. With tailored internship programs based on individual needs and goals, international interns can immerse themselves in the local community, engage in educational and social activities, and gain valuable in-person experience while working towards a noble cause.
Engage in Palestine’s commitment to providing Arabic language tuition, accommodation, and 24/7 program assistance, as well as opportunities for guided tours and activities, make it a well-rounded and comprehensive program. By the end of the program, participants will not only have gained new skills and knowledge but also new friendships and a certificate of completion to showcase their achievements.
Any Questions
We hope you enjoyed reading Law and Human Rights Internship Programs in Palestine article. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Tags: Human Rights Internship in Palestine, Internship in Palestine, Law Program in Palestine, Legal Internship in the West Bank
