Volunteering Opportunities in the West Bank 2024/2025 with Engage in Palestine: Out of the entire Middle East region, many people find Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank) the most fascinating country to volunteer in, due to the ongoing occupation of Palestine. Many ordinary Palestinians have a very difficult life, so this place can be the most fulfilling to volunteer because helping others has a huge impact, and can be seen clearly.

Palestine Is Safe, With Friendly Locals

Palestine can be quite a daunting place to undertake a volunteer program because of the things you may hear in the media, but the reality is often very different from the picture that is painted. Aside from the traditionally friendly and hospitable locals, Palestine is largely a safe place to work, study, and volunteer for outsiders. Gaza, however, is off limits due to security concerns, but the West Bank is much more stable than many might assume.

There are isolated flash-points and occasional incidents, but foreigners are usually immune to these highly localized outbreaks of violence. Like in any country, one must be sensible and aware of their surroundings and the context in which they are living.

Short-Term Volunteering In Palestine Is Fun And Fulfilling

Beyond that, volunteer work is generally fun and fulfilling in Palestine, provided you are prepared for what it will entail and you have found the right community development organization with the right program. Most Volunteering Opportunities in Palestine are time-limited, as the Israeli government primarily grants tourist visas for a maximum of three months. If you want to volunteer for longer, you will have to apply for an official work visa which can be a particularly arduous process.

Finding The Right Volunteer Program In Palestine

You must do your research before setting off to volunteer in Palestine. Volunteering can be a big investment of your time and money, so you must do your due diligence – it would be unfortunate to arrive in Palestine just to find that your organization is not particularly professional or that the program has the wrong focus for you.

The only way to avoid these mistakes is through thorough research and, crucially, checking the reviews from former volunteers for any potential program – their satisfaction (or lack thereof) will generally be a good indicator of quality.

Preparing For Volunteer Work In Palestine

Aside from researching Volunteering Opportunities in Palestine, one needs to be aware of the culture, so that one understands what is appropriate in Palestine. In certain cities, it is not acceptable to drink alcohol or wear clothing that reveals too much skin. Practice your Arabic and try to learn more about the specific place you will visit – if you are based in one city, read up about its history and its current reputation.

If you will be working across the West Bank more generally, then you should learn as much as you can about this fascinating place. Consider packing medicine, sunscreen, and bug spray (especially if you are visiting in the summer).

Do You Need Arabic To Engage in Palestine?

Arabic is not necessary to volunteer in Palestine, but it will certainly help. Most organizations will speak English and should if they are credible, offer Arabic lessons as well. Most people in the West Bank speak some level of English, so they should be able to help you get where you are going without too much difficulty. A bit of Arabic can help though as the locals will see you’re making an effort and may even charge you less for taxis or food!

Impact Of Volunteering Or Interning In Palestine

Our Volunteering and internship Opportunities In Palestine in 2024/2025 are well-researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights.

We aim to make a long-term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.

Our Volunteer And Internship Programs

Engage in Palestine offers Volunteering and internship Opportunities In Palestine in 2024/2025 which mainly focus on the topics of human rights, Palestinian children, women’s rights, Journalism, teaching English, sport, medicine, Palestinian refugees, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, and the political history and present situation of Palestine and Israel.

Our volunteer/internship programs in Palestine are especially ideal for students and people who are looking for volunteer and internship programs in the summertime located in the area of the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East.

Our Program In Hebron: Engage in Palestine

Engage in Palestine is a bastion for volunteer work in Hebron (or Al Khalil as the locals call it) in the West Bank. Engage in Palestine’s center has strong community links to channel volunteers to where they are needed most. Hebron is a city living on the front line of occupation, so many Palestinians here live in deprivation, particularly near the Old City, the checkpoints, and the H2 area where Palestinians live surrounded by Israeli settlers.

Here you may find the list of Volunteering and Internship Opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine in 2024/2025

Human Rights Internship ProgramPalestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship
Palestine And Israel In Context InternshipThe Palestinian Culture Internship
Teach English In The West BankVolunteer With Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank 
Volunteer In Local Schools Volunteer With Palestinian Children
Volunteer In Media & Journalism In The West BankVolunteer In Medicine & Healthcare In The West Bank
Volunteer In Environment & ConservationVolunteer In A Sports Project 
Volunteer In Community DevelopmentVolunteer In Women’s Rights

1. Volunteer And Study Arabic (1-13 Weeks)

Volunteers in the West Bank, Palestine will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, refugees, young adults, university students, and families, helping them practice conversational English, organizing workshops, and teaching within Hebron’s vibrant community.

2. Journalism And Media

We are proud to offer our Journalism and Media Internship Program, based at our headquarters in Hebron, West Bank. In this program, we educate Palestinian students, undergraduates, travelers, and anyone interested in the political situation in Israel and Palestine to conduct projects involving journalism and media: reporting news, writing articles, finding and fact-checking sources, and utilizing various media forms.

3. Palestinian Local Schools

Volunteers in Palestine will get the opportunity to visit and teach English to students in Palestinian local schools in the local villages as well as the Palestinian refugee camps around Hebron. This is a great opportunity to engage with the young people of Palestine and learn more about the education system in the West Bank.

4. Information Technology

This is a unique Information Technology volunteer program for those with computer and technical skills who are also willing to share knowledge with our Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron while also learning about Palestinian culture and life.

5. Environment And Conservation

In this volunteer program volunteers join us at Engage in Palestine to teach Palestinian youth about Environment & Conservation, teaching them the consequences of their practices and how can affect the surrounding environment. Volunteers can share their knowledge to help develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.

6. Palestinian Community Development

This program is great for those who are interested in Palestinian community development organizations in the area of Palestine and Israel, to help the Palestinian children, youth, community members, and Palestinian refugees in the refugee camps in and around Hebron and the West Bank. Volunteers can help to build and strengthen community links.

 7. Internship In Palestine (1-3 Months)

The Internship in Palestine program will allow internationals to integrate with the Palestinian society, and learn about human rights, refugee situations, and politics in Hebron. Visits are organized for interns to different institutions (including both Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and governmental organizations), factories, and refugee camps in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. Interns can experience firsthand daily life in Palestine.

8. Healthcare And Medicine

Our volunteer program pairs volunteers with local professionals, Palestinian doctors, and nursing students to facilitate shared learning by working under the supervision of other local professionals. This exchange also provides valuable information about the healthcare system in Palestine, how Palestinians work in local Palestinian hospitals, and what students study in medical and healthcare specializations in Palestinian universities and colleges.

Moreover, the Healthcare And Medicine program in the West Bank, Palestine is available for healthcare professionals from different levels of education starting with pre-medical and pre-nursing students along with certified medical professionals. Applicants must be healthcare students, Nursing students, public health workers, students currently studying medicine, qualified health professionals, doctors, or nutritionists.

9. Human Rights

The Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program is designed to teach applicants knowledge about human rights. Students will undertake visits to human rights organizations and are offered the ability to practice what they have learned encouragingly and naturally. Alongside these visits, there will also be meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers, students, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

10. Women’s Rights

The Palestinian Women’s Rights Volunteer Program is for students who are interested in social studies, especially the subject of women’s empowerment. Throughout the program, students will gain more insights into women’s rights in Palestine, specifically in the city of Hebron where our center is located.

Participants of the volunteer project will be provided with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations in Hebron, West Bank, and engage in educational and cultural activities during their time in Palestine.

11. Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship

This internship program is ideal for students and scholars of law, social sciences, academics, human rights, and anyone interested in the Palestinian legal systems operating in the West Bank, Palestine. Interns can join our family from 1-13 weeks, year-round. The Palestinian Laws Program aims to provide a full understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.

During the internship programs, 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.

Engage in Palestine’s internship in Palestinian Law and 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. 

12. 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. 

Volunteer Work In Hebron

Volunteer work takes all shapes and forms here: most regularly it takes the form of teaching English in places where there is no quality provision of these services. Sometimes it can mean writing articles about the Palestinian condition and the stories of some of the people living here – it can also mean running workshops on human rights and raising awareness of some of the issues facing the residents of Hebron.

Some Inclusions In Our Volunteer Programs

As with any reputable volunteer organization operating in the Middle East, Engage in Palestine will provide Arabic lessons as a courtesy, of course. Additionally, Engage in Palestine provides accommodation as well as breakfast during your stay and will do everything to make your visit to Palestine happy and fulfilling. There is time off to spend with locals or to explore the other famous cities of the West Bank – the experience is up to you, how you shape it, and how you live your best life in Palestine.

Engage in Palestine will provide you with a certificate of completion when you finish your program, as well as a reference letter to support you in finding a job in the future. 

Summary

Volunteering opportunities in the West Bank for 2024/2025 with Engage in Palestine present a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while immersing oneself in a historically and culturally rich region. Despite the challenges Palestinians face under military occupation, many find volunteering in Palestine deeply rewarding. The West Bank, unlike Gaza, is generally safe for volunteers, with friendly locals who are welcoming to outsiders. While incidents of violence are rare and typically localized, it’s essential to stay aware of one’s surroundings. Short-term volunteer programs are common due to visa restrictions, with most volunteers staying for up to three months.

Before committing to a volunteer program, thorough research is crucial. Selecting the right organization can make a significant difference in ensuring the experience is both fulfilling and professionally enriching. Beyond basic preparations such as learning some Arabic, understanding cultural norms, and packing appropriately, volunteers should also consider the specific nature of the work they will be doing. Whether teaching English, working in journalism, or assisting in healthcare, these roles not only help the local community but also provide valuable insights into Palestinian life.

Find Out More

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

 

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