Volunteer Opportunities In Law And Human Rights In Palestine by Engage in Palestine: Many people interested in human rights and international law take an interest in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, due to the unique and horrific situation due to Palestine being under Israeli occupation. There are daily human rights abuses and violations of international law committed by Israel against Palestine and Palestinians. These are rarely covered in mainstream media, and when they do receive attention, the facts are distorted or omitted. The situation is portrayed through very biased, orientalist, and colonial lenses.
Many people around the world with an awareness of the Occupation and the Palestinian Issue want to do something to help but may not know where to start. Particularly for those interested in careers or dedicating a significant portion of their life to working in human rights, international law, humanitarian aid, with refugees, and so on, volunteering in Palestine can be both an eye-opening experience and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
In this article, we will share some important information about volunteering in Palestine’s law and/or human rights fields.
Table of Contents
The Need For Law And Human Rights Volunteers In Palestine
Palestine is undergoing a horrific occupation by Israel, which causes a plethora of issues and challenges for the local population of Palestinians. Since the majority of Palestinians reside in regions subject to Israeli military law, those parts of the West Bank that are most affected by the Israeli occupation often experience the worst violations of human rights.
Due to Israel’s restrictions on them, it is especially challenging for large international legal or human rights NGOs to work in the region and help individuals in need. Also, these firms may have trouble finding qualified foreign workers because it can be difficult for them to get the necessary work permits, which must be issued by Israel. This increases the reliance on and demand for short-term international volunteers, who are, in most cases, able to obtain a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Where To Volunteer In This Area?
While Palestine is relatively small in terms of land mass, there are many places where volunteers can make a meaningful impact, such as in bigger cities and small villages.
Jerusalem And The West Bank
Larger cities such as Ramallah and Jerusalem are more Westernized and have a significant expat population as well as greater infrastructure and opportunities for volunteers. Hebron is also a large city with a lot of infrastructure and volunteer opportunities but with a much more affordable living cost than Ramallah, especially Jerusalem. Remember to consider that Hebron, along with Nablus, are the most conservative cities in the West Bank. While alcohol is not illegal, it is not socially acceptable to consume.
Law and human rights volunteer opportunities exist in refugee camps, Bedouin communities, and smaller cities such as Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jericho. Depending on the specific volunteer initiatives you wish to work on, there may be one location that is more suitable for you, as the different areas in the West Bank are impacted in a range of different ways by the Israeli occupation. If you care more about the place you will be living in, then it is advisable to choose the location that best meets your needs.
Gaza
However, one area in which international volunteers will find it virtually impossible to volunteer is Gaza. While the situation in Gaza is extremely severe and is exacerbated as a result of the ongoing Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza, this also prevents almost all international and non-Gaza Palestinians from entering Gaza unless they can obtain special permission from Israel.
This means that Gaza is off-limits, but the West Bank is very accessible to international volunteers and visitors and is a very safe place for them.
Finding The Right Organization To Volunteer With
It is always advisable to carefully consider and thoroughly research any international internship or volunteer program that interests you before applying or signing up. This is so you can ensure that your time and money will be well-invested into the right organization and volunteering project for you. Balancing finding the kind of volunteer work you wish to do with a quality and supportive organization in the right location will help make your experience more impactful and fulfilling.
Read The Program Information Carefully
Additionally, reading the volunteer program information very carefully is a must. It sounds like common sense, but it is something that several people often overlook. This will help you have the right expectations for your volunteer experience and know what is and isn’t included. This will help you avoid coming to Palestine only to realize that the experience you are having isn’t what you signed up for.
Preparing For A Law/Human Rights Volunteer Role
Once you have found the right program, it’s time to start preparing for your trip. We recommend several things you should do to prepare, which we outline below.
Arrange Flights And Travel Insurance
You will need to make arrangements for things like flights and travel insurance; it’s always a good idea to compare prices before deciding to locate the cheapest deal. Since there are no airports in the West Bank, we advise booking tickets at the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) airport instead. From there, it is quite easy to go to the West Bank.
Research Local Customs And Culture
Palestine is a fascinating country with thousands of years of history and diverse cultures, and it is very likely that it’s very different from your home country. We advise you to research the local customs before you arrive; this will better prepare you and help limit any culture shock. It’s also very important so that you know what you should and should not pack. For instance, it is not acceptable to wear shorts or drink alcohol in some of the more conservative areas of the West Bank.
Research The Weather To Help You Pack Appropriately
The weather can be vastly different depending on the time of year you volunteer in Palestine. This is a very important consideration when packing your bags, including clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, medication, and shoes.
Palestine’s winters may be rather wet and chilly, and they are frequently colder than most visitors anticipate. Central heating is quite uncommon in Palestine, and homes are typically constructed to keep heat out. This means that throughout the winter, especially at night, it’s frequently colder inside than outside, making it crucial to have a lot of warm gear.
Summer temperatures can rise to 35-40°C, although the heat is typically dry and not muggy, and rain rarely falls during the summer. So consider these elements when choosing your outfits.
Volunteering With Engage In Palestine In Hebron, Palestine
One fantastic option for those looking to volunteer in Palestine is to take a law and/or human rights program with Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron in the West Bank. Engage in Palestine is well-regarded and highly reviewed by former participants. We offer a range of flexible volunteer opportunities in many fields, including law and human rights, that allow participants to gain first-hand experience in the West Bank.
Volunteer In The Local Community For Up To Three Months
Engage In Palestine runs a combined law and human rights volunteering program as well as separate versions of each track to channel help to where it’s needed most. International volunteers can work with us for one week or up to three months to work with the local community, providing awareness of fundamental human rights and how to exercise them in the face of Israeli aggression.
Applicants with a background in law or human rights are preferred, but Engage in Palestine welcomes all those who can help in any capacity.
Why Hebron?
Hebron is of particular importance as it is the only city in the occupied West Bank that has Israeli settlers living inside the city itself, as well as numerous Israeli military checkpoints inside the city. Many Palestinians have to pass through these checkpoints either regularly or daily, which can be life-threatening to Palestinians as well as a humiliating experience as Palestinians, including children, are routinely harassed and body-searched by the Israeli army.
Note that we are located in a part of Hebron (H1) under Palestinian Authority Control, where there are no checkpoints, but there are checkpoints within walking distance.
Human Rights Abuses And Abuses of the Law In Palestine
The Israeli Occupation commits a huge range of human rights abuses and abuses of international law against Palestinians. These occur throughout Palestine, but one of the worst local areas for this is in the H2 part of Hebron city, where Palestinians are subjugated under Israeli military law rather than civil law. One of the results of this is a +99% conviction rate of cases involving Palestinian defendants, who are denied the due process they should be given under international law.
However, this isn’t limited to the city of Hebron. There are areas in the surrounding countryside like Sousia, which is a Bedouin village under an Israeli demolition order, and other villages in the south of the West Bank where electricity and water are carefully regulated by the Israelis and abuses of human rights and international law by Israel are rife.
In addition, the Israeli Occupation continues a policy from the former British Occupation of Palestine called Administrative Detention. Under Administrative Detention, Israel arbitrarily arrests Palestinians at any moment and imprisons them without charge, trial, or evidence indefinitely, for up to six months at a time and on a renewable basis. Palestinians can remain in Israeli Occupation prisons for years under this policy. Palestinian administrative detainees are left with little to no legal recourse and sometimes go on hunger strikes (that can last over 100 days) as their only means to achieve their freedom.
Your Human Rights Or Laws Program
During your program, Engage in Palestine will provide you with numerous opportunities to meet with activists, lawyers, judges, and prominent individuals involved in human rights and the legal field to provide tangible insight into the problems (and sometimes solutions) of human rights and laws here.
Our programs are very valuable for your own experience and for your CV. They should show prospective employers that they have real-life experience in an overseas, intercultural setting and a challenging environment like Palestine.
In addition, part of your program involves running workshops, particularly targeted towards Palestinian youth and students, about any topics in the human rights or legal fields that you have relevant expertise in and that will benefit them. For example, a possible workshop could raise awareness for individuals of their rights and what they can do when these rights are violated.
Our Volunteer Opportunities in Law and Human Rights in Palestine
Engage in Palestine offers a variety of volunteer and internship programs in law and human rights to cater to those with different fields of study, specializations, or interests. It is also possible to combine different programs during your time with us. You may learn more about our programs in these fields by clicking the links below.
1. Volunteer in Human Rights in Palestine
Human Rights Program in Palestine: Engage in Palestine’s human rights volunteer opportunities, which are designed to introduce you to Palestinian human rights in a setting that will help you grow both personally and professionally.
It is a fantastic opportunity for students seeking to gain experience in international law, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid while also developing their intercultural and Arabic language skills. Participants in this program will aim to increase awareness about the situation in the West Bank while also providing support to local communities through education.
Engage in Palestine 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). Each week you stay at the Center, you are eligible for three hours of Arabic instruction from qualified, experienced Palestinian teachers as a volunteer in the West Bank program.
You will interact with NGOs, staff members, professors of law, students, and human rights activists and go on excursions to refugee camps and human rights organizations to advance your academic work and develop your conversational and classroom Arabic skills.
2. Volunteer in the Women’s Rights Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Women’s Rights Program in Palestine is a volunteer initiative that allows international visitors to visit Palestine and gain exclusive insight into women’s rights in the West Bank. Located in the vibrant city of Hebron, the project provides participants with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations, and engage in educational and cultural activities during their time with us.
Aimed at educating international participants about the current power dynamics of women in Palestinian society, interns will volunteer with Palestinian women, promoting their rights and empowering them in all spheres of life, including the family, the workplace, and politics, all while ensuring they are safe from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
Overall, this volunteer program will enable you to gain awareness about gender equality in Hebron (one of the most conservative cities in Palestine), study and practice Arabic, meet other internationals, and experience Palestinian daily life.
3. Palestinian Law Internship
Palestinian Law Internship: This legal internship program is ideal for students of law, the social sciences, and human rights, as well as for anyone interested in the Palestinian legal system as it operates in the West Bank. As an intern, you can enroll for a period of from 1 to 13 weeks, year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The Palestinian Law program aims to provide a complete understanding of legislation applying to the West Bank and Gaza.
During the legal internship program, you will visit local Palestinian lawyers, law faculties, courts, human rights organizations, legal and religious institutions, and legal clinics in Hebron, Palestine. You will witness the enactment of laws, the decision-making process, court rulings, legal negotiations, and mediations in various social settings.
Engage in Palestine’s internship in Palestinian Law and Legal Practices is designed to create dialogue between participants and Palestinian legal experts and to introduce them to one of the world’s most complex legal systems. The internship program will allow you to learn about Palestinian and Humanitarian law and offer insight into some of the issues concerning both Palestine and Israel.
4. Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas
Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas: This program is an excellent opportunity for anyone, from students to retirees, to work directly with Palestinian people in villages and rural areas of the West Bank. Volunteers will work with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance their skills and engage in educational and recreational activities.
Volunteers will also learn Arabic to communicate with the locals and visit sites of Palestinian cultural and historical significance in and around Hebron city. This program is a great opportunity to deepen their understanding of daily life in Palestinian communities, security challenges, and resilience under occupation.
5. The Palestine and Israel Internship
The Palestine and Israel Internship: Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, professional, retiree, or just someone interested in political history, human rights, Palestinian refugees, or the current situation, the Palestine and Israel Internship is for you! With the ability to hear the opinions of everyday people and understand, grasp, and witness the effects of the conflict firsthand, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge beyond the headlines.
If you’re a current humanities, political sciences, or Middle Eastern studies student looking to frame your knowledge within a cultural context, this internship program in Palestine is particularly pertinent. You will explore the occupation in the West Bank and meet Palestinian civilians, local human rights activists, and families who are subject to Israeli military law.
In addition to these great opportunities, you will receive an Arabic language course tailored to your level. With tuition of three hours a week, you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in your surroundings by chatting with local Palestinians, ordering food in restaurants, and more. Therefore, for those looking to enhance their knowledge of Arabic, experience cultural immersion, and conduct political research, consider our program to gain an in-depth, personalized internship.
6. Volunteer with Refugees in Palestine
Volunteer with Refugees in Palestine: This program caters to undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, retirees, and anyone interested in engaging with the work concerning Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Palestine. Getting involved in refugee assistance presents an excellent opportunity for university students and recent graduates seeking to gain experience in the human rights field.
Through this project in the West Bank, volunteers can work with Palestinian children, women, and youths to enhance each other’s skills, create mutual understanding, engage in language exchange, and make a difference in each other’s lives.
The Volunteer with Refugees in Palestine program is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. People from all countries and majors are welcome to join this program. There are no specific degree requirements. All that is required is a willingness to participate and help.
Flexible Program Duration And Timing
Engage in Palestine offers all our participants great flexibility regarding their programs. We offer our programs year-round and give our participants the flexibility to choose their own start and end dates. Additionally, you may choose how long you wish to participate, from 1 week up to 13 weeks. 13 weeks is the maximum due to the 90-day limitation of the Israeli tourist visa.
Target Groups Within The Palestinian Community
Engage in Palestine has worked since our founding in 2011 to build ties with the local community to make a difference in their lives and build a better future for our community members. We aim to make a difference in the lives of people from diverse backgrounds through our community initiatives, volunteer programs, and internships.
In particular, these groups include but are not limited to Palestinian refugees, Palestinian school and university students, Palestinian children, Palestinian women, and Palestinian men and women living in the H2 area of Hebron (an area that Israeli settlers have partially taken over and live next to Palestinians).
has the community links to ensure you meet the right people and do everything you can (and are willing) to help the plight of those suffering abuse.
Summer Law And Human Rights Programs
Engage in Palestine offers students and others a summer break and a range of impactful volunteer opportunities in law and human rights in Palestine, more specifically, in a safe and fun environment in Hebron. Our summer programs are particularly ideal for anyone seeking summer volunteer or internship opportunities in the areas of the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, or close to the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Bethlehem.
This allows you to spend your summer making a difference in the fields of law and human rights in Palestine, traveling, learning some Arabic, and making new friends. During the summer, you will gain real-life experience in these fields, which will help make your CV stand out. It will also give you the chance to develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, intercultural communication, and more.
During our summer law and human rights volunteer programs, we will also take you on visits to Bedouin areas (such as Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages, various local organizations, and the old city of Hebron. This will also help you meet people from diverse backgrounds in Hebron who live in differing and difficult circumstances due to the Israeli occupation.
Create A Meaningful Impact In Your Life And The Lives Of Others
We aim to make a long-term difference with all of our volunteer and internship programs for both you and the local Palestinian community, including Palestinian children, women, men, and refugees. All of our Law and Human Rights internship programs are well-researched, targeted, and sustainable to have a meaningful impact and foster shared learning for both our community and you.
Volunteering or interning in the West Bank in short-term law and human rights volunteer programs is a unique opportunity to make a difference in your life as well as those around you. You can make an impact in various ways, such as by working on projects and initiatives in partnership with local organizations or by working directly with Palestinian youth or other segments of the local Palestinian community. You will also have many chances to develop relationships with Palestinians, which can be mutually fruitful, both personally and professionally.
Throughout your program, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Palestinian culture and daily life while learning directly from Palestinians about the country’s current political and human rights situation. You will gain more knowledge and be better equipped to significantly improve both your own life and the lives of local Palestinians.
Applicants with a background in law, legal issues, or Palestinian human rights are preferred, but Engage in Palestine looks to welcome all who can assist in any capacity
The Other Benefits Of Taking A Human Rights Program With Us
On top of giving participants first-hand experience and knowledge about law and human rights in Palestine, Engage in Palestine offers numerous other benefits. You can read more about some of these below.
Learn Arabic As Part Of Your Program
We include Arabic lessons to help our participants learn some of the local languages, better integrate into the local Palestinian community, and make the most of their time in Hebron. Typically, our volunteer and internship programs include three hours of Arabic classes per week, with the option to add extra hours for an additional fee.
Our well-qualified native Arabic teachers speak English and teach their classes either one-on-one or in small groups (2-5 students). This allows them to personalize their lessons to your level of Arabic, whether you are advanced or have never studied Arabic before. You may choose to learn either the local dialect of Modern Standard Arabic, or your teacher will create a friendly and supportive environment for you to learn in.
Engage With The Local Palestinian Community
As part of our short-term programs in law and human rights, we include several visits to culturally, politically, or historically important places and organizations in and around Hebron. This gives you a chance to engage with the local Palestinian community and gain a greater knowledge and understanding of Palestinian culture as well as the legal and human rights situations in Palestine.
We organize visits to places such as the old city of Hebron, refugee camps, local artists, the keffiyeh factory, glass and ceramics factories, various local organizations, including human rights organizations, and more.
In addition, you will have some free time each day and two days off per week so that you can explore on your own or with your new friends. Palestinians are very friendly and welcoming, so you will have ample opportunities to meet and connect with them.
Accommodation Is Provided For You
Engage in Palestine includes accommodation for each international volunteer and intern as they engage in volunteer opportunities in law and human rights in Palestine.
Generally, female participants will live with a local Palestinian host family in the Hebron area, while male participants will, in most cases, share an all-male dorm organized by us. Due to the conservative nature of Hebron, it is often a challenge to place male students with a Palestinian host family; however, it can be possible at times. If you are interested in this option, let us know as early as possible.
A third option is private accommodation, which we can arrange for you for an additional cost.
A Daily Palestinian Breakfast Is Included
We provide a Palestinian breakfast at our center each day (except Fridays), shared by our staff, teachers, international volunteers, interns, and Arabic students.
Two Days Off Each Week To Travel And Explore
Traveling throughout Palestine, Israel, and Jordan is a big draw for many of our participants. As such, we provide you with two days off in your schedule each week, usually Friday and Saturday. This gives you plenty of time to either organize solo trips or travel with other international volunteers, interns, and Arabic students from our center.
You can visit a range of different local and international cities, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, and the Dead Sea, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqiliyah, Jenin, Haifa, Eilat, Tel Aviv, Masada, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Tiberias, Nazareth, Netanya, Safed, Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum.
Pre-Departure And In-Country Support
We know that traveling abroad to volunteer or intern can seem daunting, and it’s understandable if you have many questions. So we assist you by providing pre-departure support and then ongoing in-country support after your arrival throughout your program.
We Can Provide Academic Credit
For current university students seeking academic credit for their participation in a short-term human rights or law program, we can provide this for you, thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. If you are interested, just let us know, and we will tell you more and make the necessary arrangements.
A Certificate Of Completion
Finally, we provide all of our international participants with a certificate upon completing their volunteer or internship program.
Great Reviews and Community Awards
Engage in Palestine has proudly earned several Community Awards, was recognized as the Best Language School Overseas, and was the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities Abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Check out our many great reviews here:
- 860+ Reviews (96%) on Gooverseas.com
- 175+ Reviews (94%) on Goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
In Conclusion
Undertaking one of the volunteer opportunities in law and human rights in Palestine can be a life-changing experience for volunteers and give them the chance to have a meaningful impact. The situation in Palestine is very severe and urgent, and individuals who are principled and passionate can contribute to making a difference.
Engage in Palestine in Hebron, Palestine, offers a variety of short-term volunteer programs in the human rights and legal fields. These volunteer experiences will allow you to gain practical on-the-ground experience in your chosen field or fields, as well as develop your skill set, and they will also allow you to form lasting connections with Palestinians. This will make a difference in the lives of others and your own life, and you can even make a difference when you go back home with the new knowledge and experience you have gained about Palestine.
During your law and/or human rights program with us, we will provide accommodation, daily breakfast (except Fridays), and Arabic classes to help integrate you into the community and make the adjustment easier. We also include trips to a range of important sites, areas, and organizations in Hebron as well as meetings with relevant and key organizations and figures. You will also have the chance to work on your initiatives, such as creating and facilitating workshops for local Palestinians to share your relevant expertise in law and/or human rights for their benefit.
We hope to welcome you to Engage in Palestine soon to volunteer on the vitally important topics of law or human rights!
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free 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: Human Rights Internship and Volunteer Work in Palestine, Law and Human Rights Volunteer Programs in Palestine, Legal and Human Rights Volunteering in Palestine, Support Human Rights in Palestine Through Volunteering, Volunteer Opportunities in Palestinian Law and Justice
