What to Know Before Volunteering in Palestine: The occupied West Bank is split into three pieces – Area A (18% of the current landmass, controlled by the Palestinian Authority), Area B (22% of the current landmass, with shared control by Israel and the Palestinian Authority), and Area C (60% of the current landmass, controlled by Israel).
However, even in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, Israeli checkpoints, gates, and guard towers dictate the movement of people, even something as simple as entering or leaving a city. In areas B and C, where there is a growing presence of illegal Israeli settlements, Palestinians live in constant fear of forced displacement, home demolitions, and attacks from settlers emboldened by a lack of response from the Israeli military.
The plight of Palestine has captured international attention across the decades, inspiring diaspora movements like the boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign, mass protests around the world, and even a case brought to the International Criminal Court by South Africa to end Israel’s apartheid and illegal occupation of Palestine. This conflict remains one of the most pressing international human rights concerns, and the situation is only getting worse.
Not content to watch from home, people from all over the world are often inspired to travel to Palestine and do what they can to help. While international volunteers do provide significant value to the local community through their presence and their contributions, it is important that they ensure they are prepared to live immersed in a politically sensitive environment. This article outlines some of the things that potential volunteers should know before coming to spend time in Palestine.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Volunteer Program
The needs of the Palestinian community are significant, and as such there are many organizations offering volunteer opportunities. These programs cover a range of critical need areas such as education, community development, women’s empowerment, and refugee support.
Because there are many organisations, selecting the right one is an important decision. It can be difficult to tell the reality of an experience from what you see online. So, how do you pick a good organisation? Our advice is to not only check their website but also whether they have an online presence elsewhere where you can verify the experiences of other volunteers. Volunteer in Palestine is registered with Go Overseas, a well-known organisation that helps people from around the world find meaningful and fulfilling volunteer positions. We currently have a 4.85 (out of 5) rating from 860 reviews and have received over 20 community awards from 2019 onwards, including for 2024.
Once you have chosen your organization, it’s important to make sure you choose the program that best reflects your skills, expertise, and interests, as well as the needs of the community. Programs offered by Volunteer in Palestine include Human Rights, Journalism, Volunteering in Villages and Rural Areas, and even volunteering online!
Our Volunteer Programs in Palestine
Our volunteer programs in Palestine are especially ideal for students and people who are looking for summer volunteer and internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East.
Here, you may find the list of our volunteer programs in Palestine:
1. Volunteer And Study Arabic In The West Bank
Volunteer and Study Arabic in the West Bank: We offer short-term and long-term volunteer and internship programs at Volunteer in Palestine. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, youth, women, refugees, young adults, university students, and families, assisting them with conversational English, organizing workshops on a variety of topics, and immersing themselves in life in Hebron’s vibrant, sociable neighborhood while teaching English in the West Bank.
2. Human Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Human Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine is designed to introduce the subject of Palestinian human rights in an environment that will help you grow personally and professionally. This human rights volunteer opportunity in the West Bank is great for those interested in gaining experience in fields such as humanitarian aid, Palestinian refugees, diplomacy, political science, and international law while building their Arabic language skills and intercultural competency.
3. The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program
During the Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program, you will work directly with Palestinian refugees in Hebron, West Bank. Volunteers can work with Palestinian women, children, and youths to enhance each other’s skills, create mutual understanding, engage in language exchange, and make a difference in each other’s lives.
4. Women’s And Children’s Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Palestinian Women’s and Children’s Rights Volunteer Program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in human rights, women’s rights, children’s education, or humanitarian and social work. This program provides a unique cross-cultural perspective on women’s and children’s rights in Palestine, offering valuable experience beyond the typical Western context.
5. Community Development Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Community Development Program through Volunteer in Palestine offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Palestinian community by working with local organizations. This program is ideal for those who wish to support Palestinian children, women, youth, and refugees in camps, as well as other community members in and around Hebron, West Bank.
6. Media & Journalism Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Media and Journalism Volunteer Program in Palestine offers an ideal opportunity for those interested in amplifying the voices of Palestinians on the global stage. Volunteers will play a key role in raising awareness of human rights and political issues within the West Bank while gaining valuable experience in ethical journalism practices.
7. Medicine & Healthcare Volunteer Program in Palestine
The Medicine & Healthcare Program in Palestine is ideal for many volunteers, including medical professionals, pre-med students, medical school students, or individuals considering a healthcare career. Under the guidance of local professionals, volunteers will gain valuable experience with the Palestinian healthcare system, work in local hospitals, and learn about the medical and healthcare specializations offered by local universities.
8. Volunteer In Local Schools In Palestine
Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine: This program is a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth. Our Volunteer in Local Palestinian Schools program in Hebron, West Bank, is a unique scheme that welcomes both native and non-native English speakers and students, graduates, professionals, and retirees interested in enhancing the English and life skills of local students.
9. Volunteer in Palestinian Communities
Volunteer in Palestinian Communities: This program invites individuals of all ages to engage with Palestinian communities in the West Bank, including Dura, Masafer Yatta, Susya, and Al-Fawwar refugee camps. Volunteers will work with children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance skills through educational and recreational activities.
10. Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages
Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages: Hebron City, in the Occupied West Bank, is home to several orphanages that provide essential care and support to thousands of Palestinian children who have lost one or both of their parents. The high number of orphans in the region is largely due to ongoing conflict, military occupation, economic hardship, and limited access to healthcare.
Entry Requirements & Travel Logistics
Currently, in order to travel to Palestine, you need to secure a visa from Israel. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at the border and can last for up to 90 days. As of January 1st, 2025, you need to fill out an Electronic Travel Authorization prior to departure.
There are two key crossings into the West Bank; a land crossing through Jordan at the King Hussein Bridge, or arriving at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport just outside of Tel Aviv. Travel through Jordan is currently highly recommended as many people have recently faced difficulty entering Israel through Ben Gurion Airport. The way takes a bit longer and is a bit more complicated, but there is generally a better chance that you will be granted entry.
To go through the King Hussein Bridge crossing, you will arrive at Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan. You will then take a taxi to the exit border for Jordan, a shuttle bus to the entry border for Israel, and then pass through security and customs.
To go through Israel, you will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and pass immigration. You will then take public transport to Jerusalem and catch a Service (local shared taxi) down to Hebron. For more information, please read our full article outlining entry to Palestine via both Jordan and Israel.
Because of the current security situation, it is important to know that entry to Israel (and, by extension, the West Bank) is not always guaranteed. Israel’s security measures regarding foreign travelers have tightened since October 7th as they seek to limit the number of people traveling to support Palestine.
Whichever route you go, there is always a chance that you may be questioned by Israeli border guards. Our advice? Be friendly, stay calm, speak about your intentions to travel in Israel, and try not to mention coming to Palestine or Hebron to volunteer. For more information, please reach out to our team at info@ecpalestine.org.
Cultural Awareness & Etiquette
Before traveling to Palestine, it is important that you are aware and happy to live as part of the local culture, customs, and traditions. While there are a mix of different religions in Palestine, it is a primarily Islamic society. If you have lived in a Muslim-majority country before, this will be like coming home! If you haven’t, some things can be a bit different than what you’re used to, especially in Hebron, which is a more conservative city.
One of the key considerations is about gender. Men and women do not usually shake hands or otherwise show physical affection in public. Similarly, it’s not really common for mixed gender groups to hang out together. Some things, like gyms, are separated, often having different opening hours for men and women. There are also some gyms that are just for women and some that are just for men.
Another consideration is clothing. While some other parts of the West Bank (like Ramallah in the north) are less conservative and have a heavier population of internationals, it is better to dress accordingly. For men, this usually means no shorts. For women, it is best to wear long, loose clothing to the wrists and ankles, and ensure the chest is not too revealed. Women in Hebron tend to be very stylish, so conservative doesn’t have to mean boring!
Palestine is a very welcoming and hospitable place, especially Hebron. It is very common for people to call out ‘welcome’ on the street, to stop and speak with you to ask where you’re from, ask for your contact details, or even invite you to their house for coffee or a meal. This is not as common in many Western countries, so it might seem odd at first, but we recommend that you just do what you’re comfortable with, keep an open mind, and try to embrace your new surroundings.
Daily Life as a Volunteer
At Volunteer in Palestine our volunteer’s days usually start at 10am with a communal breakfast in our kitchen. We have everything you’ll usually find on the table for breakfast in a Palestinian home – bread, hommus, avocado, tomato, eggs, za’atar and olive oil served with tea or coffee. This breakfast is an important start to the day, allowing staff and volunteers to mingle, speak about their days, and get to know each other better.
After breakfast usually comes the Arabic classes with our wonderful teachers. The length and frequency of your Arabic classes will depend on whether you are in an intensive course or studying Arabic as part of another program.
In the afternoon, program-specific activities occur, including teaching English at a nearby refugee camp, visits to Bedouin areas like Masafer Yatta, interactions with local journalists, lawyers, activists, and visits to local organisations. At the end of the day, volunteers usually like to go out for dinner at one of the many restaurants on bustling Ein Sara Street, sit at a cafe and study together, or return home and cook for themselves.
Volunteer in Palestine has a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs. Most commonly, volunteers will reside at one of our shared flats located close to the center. There is one for men and one for women. The apartments are modern, spacious, and equipped with everything you need for daily living. Rooms might be shared depending on the number of volunteers, but it is possible to request a private room if you prefer. Another option (for female volunteers) is placement with a Palestinian host family. This immersion is a great way to experience the local culture and language.
Weekends in Palestine are Fridays and Saturdays, while the start of the working week is on Sunday. On Fridays, most shops and cafes close, and many people like to stay home and spend time with their families. Saturdays tend to be more lively, with people out and about shopping and eating at restaurants with friends.
While there are trains and light rail options in Israel, Palestine’s public transport consists of shared taxis called Services (pronounced Servees). These are usually quite affordable and easy to catch. Many volunteers like to travel on the weekend,s taking local transport to cities like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, and Nablus. Just make sure you agree on a price with the driver before you start the journey!
Safety & Security Tips
Travel in Palestine is generally safe, and most people enjoy their time here without any problems. Like traveling anywhere, it is important to take some safety precautions like having good health insurance and knowing the contact for the local emergency services. However, there are also some safety and security tips that are unique to travel in Palestine.
The restriction of movement in the West Bank is a tactic of the Israeli occupation. Since October 7th, and the January Ceasefire in Gaza, travel between cities in the West Bank has become incredibly difficult due to Israeli checkpoints, increased gates in and out of cities that can close at any time, and long wait-times to enter or leave some areas. When you are planning your travel within Palestine, it is important to keep these restrictions in mind – a trip that should only take an hour can sometimes take over four, depending on the day.
Due to the current security situation, we recommend you keep an eye on the news and talk to the Center staff before travelling – some places, like Jenin in the north, are currently not possible to access because of increasing attacks and deteriorating security.
Above all, listen to the safety and security advice from Volunteer in Palestine staff, and make sure to ask if you’re not sure.
Budgeting & Costs
The currency in Palestine is the New Israeli Shekel. You can check your bank or a currency conversion tool to see the current rates. Some things in Palestine can be very cheap (hello 15 falafels for 2 Shekels!), and some things can be more expensive. How much you spend here depends on where you decide to shop, the kind of lifestyle you’re used to, and how much you plan to travel. Buying food from the supermarket and cooking at home is a great way to save money if you’re on a budget, but eating out is reasonably affordable.
As a foreigner, you’ll likely spend more on transport than the locals, but travel between cities is generally affordable – four people in a taxi might pay 20 Shekels each from Hebron to Bethlehem, and a Service (usually a minibus) will cost between 4 and 11 shekels depending on how many passengers are in the vehicle, or how bad the driver anticipates the traffic to be. Usually, shared taxis depart when they are full. It’s possible to pay for the extra seats if you’d like to depart earlier.
Program fees at Volunteer in Palestine cover comfortable accommodation, breakfast 5 days a week, Arabic instruction with qualified teachers, and all program costs. Compared to the cost of living in many Western cities around the world, this is a very reasonable way to spend a couple of weeks or a couple of months!
Language Considerations
Arabic is one of the world’s most spoken languages, covering countries like Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Lebanon. Modern Standard Arabic, the Arabic that is taught in most universities, is common to news and media coverage but isn’t really used for speaking. Different areas (and sometimes different countries) in the Middle East region have their own spoken dialect. In Palestine, this is a dialect called Ammiyah – a sub-dialect of the Shami Arabic that is spoken across Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
English is seen in Palestine as the ‘World’s Language’, and many young people take courses or study it in university for the opportunities it could open up for their future. While many people speak English in Palestine, it is incredibly useful to learn at least a few phrases in spoken Arabic as this will help you get on well with the local population. It’s also a beautiful and interesting language to learn.
Every program at Volunteer in Palestine includes some Arabic tuition to help you get familiar with the language. Here are some of our favourite resources to help you get started on your Arabic learning journey:
- Palestinian Colloquial Arabic by Shireen Sayyad. This book is the foundation of our Arabic instruction at Volunteer in Palestine. It is a great resource to build a strong foundation in spoken Arabic.
- English-Arabic Colloquial Levantine Dictionary. The accompaniment to the above textbook is a great way to broaden your vocabulary.
- Mango Languages: This app offers learning in different Arabic dialects and has a great recording feature where you can test your pronunciation against a native speaker.
- Kaleela: This app specialises in Arabic, offering different Arabic dialects, and includes lots of progression levels covering different topics and vocabulary.
Whatever your level of Arabic, whether you’re a complete beginner, looking to improve, or even learning a new dialect, Volunteer in Palestine has a course for you.
Making the Most of Your Experience
Coming to spend time in Palestine is a rich and fulfilling experience. People often talk about how spending time with the local community and getting to know their stories has been life-changing. Below are some of our top tips for making the most of your stay in Palestine.
People are incredibly friendly and will want to talk with you. Even though it can be a lot sometimes, making the time to speak with local people is a great way to learn more about their day-to-day experiences living under occupation. Everyone has a story about how it has touched their life, and living within the community is an incredible opportunity to learn more than you could online or by reading the news.
One great way to connect with life here is to attend cultural activities and events – there is no doubt that you will be invited to do so! Weddings, celebrations, religious events, Iftar dinner during Ramadan – all of these are great opportunities to dive deeper into the local culture (and sample some delicious food).
Responsible Volunteering & Ethical Impact
The most important thing to do before you consider traveling to volunteer in Palestine is to consider responsible volunteering and the ethical impact of your time in Palestine.
Being respectful of people’s needs and experiences is paramount. Be careful to keep this in mind when in conversation, as some topics can be sensitive or painful for people. Our advice would be to wait until you know someone well, or wait until they are willing to share about their experiences of living under occupation. People struggle every day with violence, oppression, control, and loss. Please be mindful of this.
Responsible volunteering doesn’t just cover what you do while here in Palestine, it also matters what you do when you leave. One of the most powerful aspects of international people coming to volunteer in Palestine is the ripple effects of change they can make when they return home. Some volunteers speak with their family and friends about their experiences, some write to their local media, and some use their own personal platforms for advocacy or get involved in local movements to support Palestine in their hometowns. Every single action helps.
Summary on What To Know Before Volunteering in Palestine
Volunteering in Palestine is an incredibly high impact, incredibly rewarding thing to do. 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 1 week or 12, Volunteer in Palestine has a range of programs to suit all kinds of backgrounds and interests. To learn more, or to enquire about coming to spend time in Palestine, please reach out to info@ecpalestine.org.
Find Us Online
Do you have questions for us regarding What to Know Before Volunteering in Palestine or about one of our programs? Contact us via:
Email: info@ecpalestine.org
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
Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
