The Human Rights In The West Bank Program offered at Engage in the West Bank in Hebron, Palestine, is designed to introduce you to the concept of Palestinian human rights in a setting that will help you grow both personally and professionally. We offer a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience in fields like international law, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid whilst also developing their intercultural and Arabic language skills. Participants in this Program will aim to increase societal awareness about the human rights situation in the West Bank whilst also supporting local communities through education.

Engage in the West Bank offers human rights internships and volunteer programs year-round, for periods of between 1 and 13 weeks, with the choice of start and end dates entirely up to the participant. The program also allows you to study and practice Ammiya (Palestinian Arabic). Furthermore, for each week in which you stay with us, you are eligible for three hours of Arabic instruction from qualified, experienced Palestinian teachers as a volunteer in the Program.

You will interact with Palestinian and international NGOs, staff members, professors of law, students, and human rights activists in addition to joining excursions to Palestinian refugee camps and human rights organizations.  This will bring the benefit of advancing your academic work and will develop your conversational and classroom Arabic skills.

The Human Rights Internship Program in Palestine is open to:

• students of all levels 
• native and non-native English speakers
• graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, political sciences
• scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel
• human aid workers
• professionals, researchers, retirees, and indeed anyone who would like to help and contribute meaningfully to the Palestinian community in the West Bank.

If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities in the Middle East and have an interest in Israeli-Palestinian relations, then you will find this internship an ideal opportunity to gain relevant experience whilst learning or improving your Arabic language skills at the same time. 

The Current Situation in the West Bank, Palestine

Since 1967, Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and East Jerusalem have faced “severe and discriminatory limitations on their human rights,” according to Human Rights Watch. Because of the region’s continuous military occupation, respect of international law has been restricted.

There have been widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR). The report was published on 5 March 2015 and relates to the period from 26 May 2013 to 31 October 2014. 

You will obtain a better grasp of the condition of human rights in the West Bank from your participation in Engage in the West Bank’s Human Rights Program in the West Bank.

Volunteer in Human Rights In The West Bank Program

The Human Rights Internship Program in Palestine is an excellent choice for anybody who is passionate about human rights and wants to work to guarantee that Palestinians have access to their fundamental rights. Volunteering in this Program will provide you with vital experience if you are interested in working for non-profit organizations in a humanitarian or legal framework.

This Program benefits university students since Engage in the West Bank, via its relationship with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, may award academic credit to program participants. Moreover, this program is a peerless opportunity for recent graduates to draw on hard-won skills and engage at a grass-roots level.

Who Can Participate?

We are committed to equal opportunities. Engage in the West Bank does not discriminate on any grounds, based on nationality, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other. We have a long tradition of accepting individuals from all over the world, and volunteers have come from many walks of life, backgrounds, and identities. Everyone is invited to engage!

Human Rights In The West Bank Program Program Structure

The Human Rights Internship Program in Palestine is mostly knowledge-based, with an emphasis on increasing participants’ understanding of human rights and legal breaches within Palestine whilst also raising awareness.

During the internship, you will collaborate with international organizations, local activists, and international law specialists. The Human Rights Program is organized into four areas to assist in this endeavor:

1. Increase your understanding of human rights and the political context
2. Create a unique program in collaboration with local activists
3. Study Arabic and become acquainted with Palestinian culture and daily life
4. Organize workshops for Palestinian youth, teach English to Palestinian children and refugees, and write articles.

Law and Human Rights Internship

Through our Palestinian Law curriculum, we seek to give a thorough overview of the legislation governing the West Bank and Gaza. We offer internships year-round for periods ranging from one to thirteen weeks. This curriculum is suitable for law, social sciences, and human rights students, as well as anybody interested in the Palestinian legal system.

During the internship, interns will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal religious institutions, and clinics. You will see laws being passed, decisions being made, court decisions being taken, legal discussions being conducted, and mediations taking place in a range of different social contexts.

Summer Volunteer and Internship Programs

Additionally, while our human rights internship and Volunteer programs in Hebron are open all year, we also offer summer human rights internships, an ideal opportunity for students or anyone searching for short-term internship programs in the fields of human rights, law, and politics in Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East. Participants will gain experience while making a difference in the lives of others.

We also offer summer programs designed specifically for students looking to travel abroad while gaining university credits. These programs allow you to travel during summertime, and gain hands-on experience in your relevant field while working towards a degree at the same time. Students will be able to experience a range of academic and practical activities in a field relevant to their interests.

Program Details and Additional Activities in Palestine

Volunteers in the Human Rights Program based in Hebron, West Bank will receive the following benefits.  More details are given below. These include:

• Arabic lessons of three hours weekly with native speakers in Palestinian dialect and MSA if desired. Our teachers are well-qualified and attentive, each with a solid educational background, ready and willing to assist you.
• Visits to Palestinian refugee camps and arranging activities for Palestinian children
• Work with non-profit organizations, humanitarian/human rights law firms, NGOs, and other charitable organizations to gain expertise
• Similarly, you will work cooperatively with organizations based in Hebron and Ramallah to provide workshops to Palestinian students on the subject of human rights. As part of these workshops, you will be encouraged to share what you have learned, your particular knowledge, and your personal experience.  
• Visits to diverse human rights organizations in Palestine, including Human Rights Defenders, Youth Against the Settlements, and Christian Peacemaker Teams Palestine, allowing you to put what you have learned into practice.
• Meetings with human rights activists, laborers, law professors, students, and NGOs
• Exposure to everyday life in Hebron, as well as Palestinian culture and society including the chance to experience traditional Palestinian dishes and desserts
• Accommodation arranged through a Palestinian host family or through our all-male dormitory
• Palestinian cultural nights with entertainment and activities
• Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with the benefit of a native point of view, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.
• The option to visit nearby cities as well as cities located in Israel including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
• And finally, a certificate upon completion.

Arabic Culture and Language Immersion

Every international volunteer and intern will receive three hours of Arabic instruction every week from a professional, skilled, and attentive teacher. These classes are created so that you may connect with the individuals you are working with on an essential level. Attempting to learn the local language is also considered a sign of respect for their culture, and is always appreciated by all parties involved.

You will have plenty of opportunities to practice the Arabic you have been studying in class because you will meet new people daily throughout your time in Palestine. Our instructors teach both Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic.

Participants in the Human Rights Internship in Palestine program will also go on trips to important historical and political locations in Hebron guided by our staff. While these trips will normally include visits to the Old City of Hebron as well as the nearby villages, tours of the local refugee camps in Hebron will also provide participants with a better knowledge of Palestine’s current political situation.

Live With a Palestinian Host Family

In addition to learning first-hand about one of the most politically divisive regions in the world, volunteers and interns will be supported in your endeavors throughout your stay. You can be provided a host family in addition to your specific program objectives.

Via a stay with a host family during the time in Hebron, you will be given many opportunities to fully immerse yourself in a Palestinian context through many conversations among the local friendly community of Hebron, as well as learn Arabic. You will consequently also a rare look into Palestinian home life and culture and will take part in family activities, attend Palestinian cultural events, become familiar with daily life in Hebron, and much more!

Educational Workshops

Once you have gained a sufficient theoretical understanding of human rights (with special attention paid to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Convention) you will begin the second stage of the program: putting your knowledge into practice. You will utilize your creativity, knowledge, and abilities to develop innovative and meaningful initiatives for the benefit of the local community by designing and conducting educational programs in collaboration with local organizations.

Previous workshop presentations have included the creation of documentaries and other visual media, the teaching of English to Palestinian children, Q&A sessions with local Palestinians, the publication of articles and booklets, and the design of digital material.

Visits to Local Organizations Working in the Field of Human Rights

Engage in the West Bank will organize visits to various local Palestinian organizations working in the field of human rights in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine, enabling you to decide what activities to develop and present as part of your workshops. As a result of your meetings with local organizations, you will gain a better understanding of the state of human rights in the West Bank.

The program begins with an overview of the Geneva Convention and international law surrounding human rights. Furthermore, you will then learn how these international accords are being violated.

You will get the chance to visit the United Nations Headquarters in Hebron, as well as other significant institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). You will go to Hebron and the surrounding regions to interviews with municipal authorities, community leaders, legislators, business owners, employees, teachers, and university students to learn more about how violations occur.

Volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of training and mentorship programs in the subject of human rights. The courses will be tailored to your specific knowledge, interests, fields of expertise, and degree of experience. Because we are adaptable, we will be able to design your syllabus and schedule together with you according to your needs and skills. These courses can include:

• Educating Palestinian school and university students about basic rights
• Engaging in community activities
• Visiting UN buildings and Human Rights NGO Headquarters
• Visiting Palestinian refugee camps in and around Hebron.
• Writing human rights essays, with an emphasis on Palestine and Israel
• Studying International Human Rights laws
• Creating a catalog of NGOs describing and analyzing their impact on human rights violations across the world
• Collaboration with journalist project students to create a short documentary
• Other activities (We happily encourage suggestions)

Additional Activities for Volunteers of the Human Rights In The West Bank Program

Along with your program responsibilities, you will be able to embark on sightseeing tours in Hebron managed by Engage in the West Bank. Throughout the week, we organize frequent trips to Hebron and adjacent cities.

In the evenings, we offer a wide range of activities for you to take part in as part of our commitment to showcasing Palestine’s culture. Evenings are typically free, although we will organize occasional optional activities such as food and drink tours or cultural events. We hope you will join us in exploring the city of Hebron and its many restaurants, shops, and historical sites.

In addition to your work on the Human Rights Program, you will be taking Arabic lessons, which require some preparation and study. You will have your Arabic class schedule as well as time to develop lesson ideas for the workshops that you will be in charge of. This is in addition to your spare time, during which you are welcome to go to other cities.

Impact on the Palestinian Community

Through the premise of “walking in each other’s shoes,” this volunteer program strives to create a long-term effect in the local Palestinian community. Volunteering here will not only change your life, but it will also change the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and other members of the community.

The Human Rights Internship in Palestine is suitable for anyone wishing to gain insight into the daily lives of Palestinians under the current political and military boundaries. Ultimately, via the exchange of ideas between Palestinians and international volunteers, we aim to create a long-term effect in the lives of refugees, Palestinian children, youth, and the general population.

Practical Information 

Reviews And Community Awards

Engage in the West Bank has welcomed 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 ranked 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 the West Bank 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”. 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2021 we ranked one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards from 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 Engage in the West Bank’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. Our center continues to rate highly among the travel organizations across its selection of programs.

Furthermore, Engage in the West Bank’s programs, including the human rights internships in Hebron, have more than:

• +748 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
• +130 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Participants video testimonials

Daily Schedule for Volunteers

Volunteering with us at Engage in the West Bank will require commitment and flexibility. You will be expected to work approximately 30 hours a week, from around 9 am until 5 pm. One of your days off will be Friday and another day of your choice. We are closed on Fridays.

Every morning, international volunteers start the day with breakfast with our staff and the directors. It typically consists of bread, olive oil and za’atar, hummus, labneh, falafel, cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper – all of the essentials you will find in a traditional Palestinian morning meal.

How to Get to Palestine?

The most convenient method to reach us at Engage in the West Bank is to fly to:

• Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. It takes roughly two and a half hours by shared cab from the airport to Hebron.

Alternatively:

• Flying to Eilat airport in the south of Israel and then taking a shuttle or bus to Jerusalem and finally to Hebron. The travel, on the other hand, can last between six and seven hours.
• Flying to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then crossing the border into Palestine. This, however, takes more time and is more expensive.

Traveling to and from Hebron, West Bank

All of Engage in the West Bank’s volunteers travel to and from Hebron using single or shared taxis that pass through checkpoints.

You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and Engage in the West Bank with relevant contact information in these four articles:

• How to fly to Palestine
• How to get to Hebron, Palestine
• Planning your trip to Palestine
• How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel to Hebron

How Do I Get a Visa to Visit Palestine?

The majority of our volunteers in Palestine receive a three-month tourist visa when arriving at Israeli airports or crossing from Jordan to the West Bank.

Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans do not require a visa to enter Palestine but do refer to the visa exemption agreement for further information. Upon your arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will aquire a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participation in Engage in the West Bank’s programs as well as easy travel around Palestine and Israel.

Traveling to Palestine On Your Own?

No worries, you’ve come to the right place!

You will meet many participants from overseas who also involve themselves in our volunteer abroad programs, along with university students and a community of people with a variety of interests. Palestinians in Hebron, in particular, love to meet new people from different cultures and exchange ideas and experiences.

For everyone here, it is like belonging to one family and there are always activities to do together in Hebron’s fantastic social scene. 

How to Apply for the Human Rights In The West Bank Program?

To register your interest, please send an email to Engage in the West Bank at Info@ecpalestine.org, with Volunteer in Human Rights Project in Palestine as the subject line to register your interest. From there, we will then email you an application form.

Criteria for Participants in the Human Rights Program:

Required:

• Age between 18 and 75 years (although exceptions are possible in special circumstances)
• Ability to converse fluently in English or Arabic
• Willing to meet and interact with a diverse spectrum of Palestinian people
• A desire to learn and a positive attitude

Not Required:

• Arabic fluency
• Travel experience
• Teaching experience or an equivalent educational degree
• Being an English native speaker

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Info@ecpalestine.org or Whatsapp:+972-599-479 880. We look forward to hearing from you!

Summary: Join Our Family in Palestine

Engage in the West Bank’s volunteer programs and internships are wonderful opportunities to contribute to the advancement of universal human rights. As volunteers and interns, you will work closely with local Palestinian organizations in the West Bank such as human rights organizations, law firms, charities, and activists. Participants will engage with local Palestinians in dialogue about their rights and liberties as declared in the Geneva Convention and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Volunteering in Palestine is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about one of the most politically divisive regions in the world, as well as to make a difference in the lives of others, especially Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members. As a result of the program, you will become better informed about issues surrounding human rights. Additionally, all participants will be able to immerse themselves in the Arabic language, and culture as they visit local Palestinian historical sites, areas of political significance, cultural festivals, and more.

There are numerous reasons why you should consider visiting and volunteering in the West Bank, Palestine, whether you are planning to go to Palestine for fun, to learn the language or any other subjects, or even for religious reasons. You will benefit immensely from joining our programs. Our team at Engage in the West Bank will assist you every step of the way before and throughout your stay. We emphasize the importance of the exchange of information and learning and are happy to address all of your questions about your stay, how to get to and from Hebron, the cost of living, and any other logistical questions. We hope to meet you soon.

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