Your guide to volunteering in Palestine: Palestine, particularly the West Bank, is a captivating destination with a rich history, vibrant culture, and unique political landscape. While media coverage may sometimes raise concerns about security, the reality is that this region offers incredible opportunities for meaningful volunteer work. With 5 million people living in the West Bank, spread across several important cities, choosing the right location can be a key factor in having a rewarding experience.
In this guide, we will provide valuable information about volunteering in Palestine, explore the best volunteer programs, offer practical advice, and highlight the profound impact that volunteering can have—both on the local Palestinian community and on you as a volunteer.
Beyond that, choosing a volunteer program with a trustworthy organization is essential, as not all are equally reliable. Take time to research and read reviews from past volunteers to ensure the organization is well-regarded and aligned with your values. Additionally, selecting a program that matches your priorities and interests is important, as your goals might differ from those of the organization. Finding the right fit gives you a more impactful and fulfilling volunteering experience.
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Selecting the Right Location
For potential volunteers, both Gaza and the West Bank present opportunities to make a meaningful impact in Palestine. Gaza, despite facing significant challenges due to the ongoing blockade, is a place where volunteers can provide vital support and stand in solidarity with its resilient population. Engaging in Gaza’s volunteer programs offers the chance to contribute to humanitarian efforts, educational initiatives, and community rebuilding projects that are deeply needed.
In the West Bank, opportunities are also abundant, with its diverse cities offering a blend of rich history and vibrant modern life. East Jerusalem, Jericho, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem invite volunteers to explore their fascinating heritage, while Ramallah and Hebron provide insight into the dynamic and bustling contemporary Palestinian culture. Whether in Gaza or the West Bank, volunteering in Palestine allows you to contribute to needy communities while gaining an unforgettable cultural experience.
Selecting the Right Organization
Most organizations offering volunteer programs have the best intentions, but it’s always smart to do your homework before choosing one. Along with reading testimonials and checking reviews, take a look at their YouTube channel, Facebook page, or Instagram account. These platforms often give you a more personal glimpse into their work, volunteer experiences, and day-to-day activities.
Seeing videos, photos, and updates can help you better understand their mission and how they engage with their community. It’s also a great way to gauge how well-organized and transparent they are, ensuring you’ll have a meaningful and enjoyable experience!
Selecting the Right Volunteer Program
The same rules apply here as when selecting the right organization. The volunteer program is crucial, and volunteers will want to ensure they are making as much impact with their time as possible. However, some organizations may not be well-run, and while their programs look interesting, they might not benefit volunteers.
The most common programs in Palestine are volunteering with Palestinian children, working with Palestinian refugees, teaching English and Palestinian law, media and journalism, and supporting human rights initiatives. These programs not only offer meaningful contributions but also provide valuable experiences.
Another consideration is how the right program can enhance your CV. Volunteering in Palestine can help you develop essential skills such as adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, dealing with adversity, and project management, all of which are valuable when applying for jobs in the future.
Volunteer Work in Palestine
Palestine offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities where individuals can work with Palestinian children, women, refugees, young adults, university students, and families. Volunteers can help practice conversational English, organize workshops, and teach within Hebron’s vibrant community.
In addition, volunteers in Palestine make significant contributions to the local community by working with men, women, and children across the West Bank. This experience not only allows volunteers to support and empower the Palestinian community but also provides them with an opportunity to challenge themselves, gain a deeper understanding of life in Palestine, and immerse themselves in a rich and diverse culture.
10 Best Volunteer/Internship Programs in Palestine
Engage in Palestine offers exceptional opportunities for individuals seeking volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine, or Israel. These programs are ideal for students, native English speakers, anyone with a summer break, and those planning an extended visit. Volunteering in Palestine provides a meaningful way to contribute while exploring the region’s rich history, vibrant culture, and daily life.
Whether your interests lie in teaching English, advocating for human rights, supporting Palestinian children’s and women’s rights, engaging in journalism and media, teaching sports, contributing to medical initiatives, assisting Palestinian refugees, fostering community development, or teaching languages such as French, Spanish, and Italian, there is a program for you. You can also explore Palestinian culture and politics, laws and the legal system, or the political history and current situation of Palestine and Israel.
Below are 10 of the best Volunteer/Internship programs in Palestine:
1. Internship In Palestine (1-3 Months)
The Internship in Palestine Program will allow internationals to integrate with Palestinian society and learn about human rights, refugee situations, and politics in Hebron. Program visits are organized for interns to different institutions across Palestine.
2. Volunteer in Local Palestinian Schools
Volunteers in Palestine will get the opportunity to visit and teach English to students in Palestinian local schools in the local villages and 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.
3. The Palestine And Israel In Context Internship Program
The Palestine and Israel in Context Internship Program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, retirees, and anyone interested in the political history and current affairs of Palestine and Israel, offering an immersive experience that combines political research, cultural immersion, and language learning to provide a comprehensive perspective on the region’s complex geopolitical issues.
4. Volunteer as a Teacher and Study Arabic (1-13 Weeks)
Volunteer 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.
5. Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank
The Palestinian Refugees Program is a great opportunity for a wide range of people, from students to retirees, who are passionate about human rights and wish to work directly with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Participants in this program will work with Palestinian children, youth, and women primarily to enhance their skills and provide education in one of the Palestinian refugee camps around the city of Hebron, Palestine.
6. Volunteer in the Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
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.
7. Intern In A Technology Program In Palestine
This Information Technology Internship Program invites individuals with computer and technical expertise to share their knowledge with Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron, while also immersing themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life.
8. 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 for durations ranging from 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates available year-round, including Summer, Winter, Spring, and Autumn sessions.
9. Human Rights Program In The West Bank
The Human Rights Internship Program is designed to teach applicants knowledge about human rights. Students will participate in visits to human rights organizations, providing them with practical opportunities to apply their acquired knowledge in supportive and authentic settings, thereby enhancing their understanding of human rights advocacy.
10. 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.
Impact of Volunteer Work in Palestine
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine, are carefully designed and targeted to provide valuable insights into Palestinian legal affairs and human rights.
We are committed to making a lasting impact on the local Palestinian community through the exchange of ideas and fostering mutual understanding by “walking in each other’s shoes.” Volunteering and interning in Palestine offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of others, including Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members across the West Bank.
Benefits of Volunteering in Palestine:
- Living in Hebron, West Bank, and visiting sites in the local and wider area
- Better Understand Palestinian politics and experience the occupation in the West Bank.
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
- Get to know the human rights situation and support Palestinian refugees.
- Traveling to historical locations and nearby cities, including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem in your free time
- Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Spending time and living with a Palestinian host family, if desired
- Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions, and organizations specializing in culture and education
- Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies
- Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs
Flying into Palestine
Unfortunately, there are no airports in Palestine so it is currently impossible to fly directly into the West Bank. Although Palestinians use either the airports in Jordan or Egypt to travel abroad, international volunteers and interns can fly to Israeli airports and then cross over to Palestine.
We believe the easiest ways to get to the Excellence Center in Hebron are:
- To fly to Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport (Israel). From there, it takes about two and a half hours from the airport to the Excellence Center in Hebron via shared taxi.
- To fly to Eilat airport in Israel and then travel by booking a shuttle or taking a bus to Jerusalem and then to Hebron. However, this trip can last between 6-7 hours.
- To fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross over to Palestine, however, this route takes more time and is more expensive.
Reviews and Awards
Engage in Palestine has been honored with several prestigious Community Awards, and it has been recognized as the Best Language School and Top Volunteer and Internship Program Provider for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. For more details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +840 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +170 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Your Guide to Volunteering in Palestine – Final Remarks
Volunteering in Palestine offers a unique and enriching experience, whether you are coming to learn about Palestinian culture, improve your Arabic language skills, explore the region, or even for religious reasons.
At Engage in Palestine, we are here to support you every step of the way before and during your stay. Whether you have questions about your stay, travel logistics to and from Hebron, the cost of living, or anything else, our team will be happy to assist, guide, and advise you throughout the entire process. Volunteering in Palestine is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact while gaining a deeper understanding of this fascinating and resilient region.
Related Volunteer Programs
Contact Us
Should you have any questions about your guide to volunteering in Palestine by Engage, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Tags: Summer volunteer programs Palestine, volunteer programs in Palestine, Volunteering with Palestinian children, West Bank Volunteer Opportunities
