Is it Safe to Volunteer in Palestine in 2025? The security situation in Palestine is as complex as ever in 2025. Since the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire in January, the West Bank has seen a significant increase in Israeli violence, especially in the north, and the further restriction of movement for Palestinians across the West Bank. At the same time, violence and attacks from Israeli settlers have been increasing as they act against Palestinians with impunity and no consequence.
Recently, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, part of the ceasefire deal, has seen increased security measures on the weekends, especially for entry and exit of different towns and cities. 858 new gates have been installed, and journeys that might take half an hour in the territory’s small land area have seen people waiting eight hours or more to cross a checkpoint, sometimes sleeping overnight in their cars. Local residents have likened the new security measures to ‘living in a cage’.
In 2025, the security situation continues to evolve daily. Despite this, international volunteers are still able (and welcome to) to Palestine. In fact, the need for their support is higher than ever. Organizations like Volunteer in Palestine ensure safety and security are paramount, ensuring the volunteer experience here goes safely and smoothly no matter what is happening politically. Since 2011, Volunteer in Palestine has safely hosted over 2000 volunteers in Hebron.
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How Volunteer Organizations Ensure Safety in Palestine in 2025
To ensure people continue coming to volunteer in Palestine, it’s essential that volunteer programs take a robust approach to safety in-country.
For Volunteer in Palestine, we try to make people feel safe from the very beginning of their time with us. We answer questions about security and advise on travel before people even depart.
Once in Hebron, we provide secure accommodation close to Volunteer in Palestine and Its staff in case people need anything. We have ensured the Center is located in a really safe part of town, just off the main Ein Sara street, where there are many great restaurants and shops for volunteers.
When it comes to program content, we always check the safety and security of a visit before we leave the Center. Places that we go to, like the Israeli-controlled H2 area of Hebron, Masafer Yatta, and Al Fawwar Refugee camp, can sometimes have security interruptions. If there is any risk on the day, we will delay the activity and change to something else or stay at the Center.
Personal Security Tips for Volunteers in Palestine in 2025
Volunteer in Palestine’s base in Hebron is incredibly friendly and welcoming. However, there are some things to be aware of regarding safety and security in everyday life.
We recommend that volunteers refrain from wearing or carrying anything that may show support for Palestine if they are near any checkpoints or in any Israeli-controlled areas. Some personal belongings of volunteers have been confiscated by soldiers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, for example.
We also recommend deleting direct ties to Volunteer in Palestine, like messages and contacts, from your phone before exiting the country if it is taken and searched. In Area B or C, or anywhere else in Israel, we recommend that you do not practice your Arabic out loud and try not to tell people that you are volunteering in Palestine.
In Hebron, the city is split between H1 and H2 – H1 is Palestinian, and H2 has an Israeli Settler community living within it. This community is generally heavily guarded by soldiers. Spending much time around guarded checkpoints or the settler community is not recommended.
Generally, our best safety advice is not to be rude or abrupt or to challenge any Israeli soldiers if you encounter them. The value you bring as an international volunteer is in the support you can offer the local community through your volunteering, friendship, and solidarity. Putting your safety at risk will only bring more trouble for you and potentially the people with you.
How Volunteer Experience Can Be Safe and Transformative in Palestine
Eva, one of our 2025 volunteers, has been in Hebron since the start of January, from the ceasefire announcement to the weekly prisoner releases.
“The only thing that has really changed is that we more carefully pick which days to travel on the weekends because of traffic, and sometimes it takes longer to get places than expected. Lately, there have been higher tensions around the prisoner releases, especially when prisoners return home to Hebron, but I’ve personally never felt unsafe at all here.”
She and the other volunteers regularly travel to different cities alone or in small groups and feel very comfortable walking home late at night from their favorite cafe, Feirouz.
“I have the feeling it’s a really pivotal time for Palestine, so it’s actually amazing to be here right now. People say that seeing internationals helps encourage a sense of solidarity for them, as if they’re not going through this without any witnesses, so I feel like I am making at least a little bit of a difference. And, I didn’t come here to be protected from the reality of life in Palestine – I came here to learn. If these people can live under occupation their whole lives, I can spend a few months putting up with some extra traffic.”
Only a third of the way through her time in Palestine, Eva is enjoying it immensely. She is glad that she made the decision to come to the West Bank, despite everything that’s been in the news.
“The experience has been incredibly enriching so far. I’m one month in, and feel very much at home. The housing is secure and comfortable, the staff at the Center are supportive, and my fellow volunteers are all wonderful people. I’m worried about the future for Palestinians, but so glad that I was able to come and contribute even a little.”
So, Is It Safe to Volunteer in Palestine in 2025? How 2025 Will Be Different for Volunteers
With so many things changing quickly, predicting how the West Bank security situation will go is difficult. Here at the start of 2025, we are a few weeks into the first phase of a delicate ceasefire, and security is getting tighter. We hope the ceasefire will hold and the next two phases will be negotiated favorably for Palestinians. However, that might not be true, given the current global geopolitical climate.
As mentioned earlier – it’s incredibly unpredictable. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why some people are allowed in or turned away. Some volunteers come through Ben Gurion, are given a 3-month visa, and are asked no further questions. Some are never even allowed to board the plane. We recommend you get robust travel insurance and a ‘Plan B’ to cover any such eventualities.
Is Volunteering in Palestine in 2025 Worth It? Evaluating Safety and Impact
While times may be getting more difficult, it is important to remember that most Israeli security restrictions are designed to limit the freedom and movement of Palestinians, not internationals. In fact, international presence can strongly deter the potential escalation of violence in some situations. All of our volunteers comment on how positive and safe their experiences have been, even during times when the political situation seems difficult from the news headlines.
Volunteer in Palestine has operated since 2011, through multiple bouts of conflict in the Palestinian territories and despite the occupation. We have only been forced to close our operations three times —during the 2014 Gaza war, during COVID-19, and in the immediate aftermath of October 7th, 2023. In all of these situations, we provided evacuation advice and support to all of our volunteers. Recently, Volunteer in Palestine won the GoOverseas Top Internship Abroad Provider of 2024 for Safety.
Whether you decide to come to Palestine to volunteer in 2025 depends entirely on your own appetite for risk and whether you think you could comfortably live immersed in the context we’ve described in this article. What internationals might experience—traffic delays, some questioning on entry and exit of the country—is a part of the reality and the occupation experience. We welcome anyone who is keen to join us.
Summary
Volunteering in Palestine is an incredibly high-impact, incredibly rewarding experience. It is also a great opportunity to experience the day-to-day life and culture of the Palestinian people. If you decide to come to spend time with us, you will be welcomed with open arms.
Whether you’re interested in coming to Palestine for one week or 12 weeks, Volunteer in Palestine has a range of programs to suit all backgrounds and interests. To learn more or inquire about coming to Palestine, please email Info@ecpalestine.org.
Contact Us
If you have any other questions about the best Palestinian Arabic programs, please feel free to contact us at:
WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Tags: Is it safe to volunteer in Palestine, safety in Palestine in 2025, Safety tips for volunteering in Palestine, Volunteer in Palestine in 2025
