Would you like to live Palestinian daily life? Are you interested in experiencing Palestinian culture? Would you like to make a difference? Do you want to volunteer in Palestine?
Many people all over the world give a helping hand to those in need by volunteering their help. Palestine is one of those places in the world where people volunteer and help Palestinian children and young people through education and culture exchange.
How can I become a volunteer in Palestine?
The answer is simple, you can be a volunteer in Palestine by joining the Palestinian Center in Hebron, Palestine. The Palestinian center offers many volunteer programs that provide you with new experiences in teaching, educating, and making a difference in the Palestinian community.
How long can I volunteer in Palestine?
At the Palestinian Center, you can volunteer for one week up to three months. The flexibility of the programming makes volunteering in Palestine easier by fitting the scheduling needs of all people.
Who can volunteer in Palestine?
Volunteering in Palestine is open to people who are at least 18 years old (those who are 15-17 may also apply after a consent letter written by their parents is received by the Center which allows them to travel and volunteer in Palestine).
What do I have to do while I am volunteering in Palestine?
Being a volunteer in Palestine means that you will participate and organize many activities for the Palestinian community. These activities will be educational and will involve teaching English and academic writing skills, organizing workshops for instruction in writing CVs, and learning interviewing techniques. Besides educational activities, there is time for fun. At the Palestinian center, you will participate in social and community activities that entertain children or adults.
Do I need a visa to travel and volunteer in Palestine?
Since Palestinian authorities do not have any control over the borders, the Palestinian authorities cannot issue visas to those who wish to visit the Palestinian territories. Thus, the Israeli government and its authorities are the only responsible authority for the issuance of visas, either upon your arrival or through its embassies or consulates prior to your visit.
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival if you are a citizen of an exempted country at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossings. Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days, and most Americans and Europeans are issued these three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs. If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy or consulate at home before you visit.
Some people come from countries, such as Pakistan, Iran, and Bangladesh, among others, that do not issue acceptable passports for travel to Israel; this notice is clearly written on their passports. According to Israeli law, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran are enemy states, and Israeli citizens are not allowed to visit these countries without special permission from the Ministry of Interior.
Some travelers do not want an Israeli stamp on his/her passport because he/she wishes to travel to a Middle Eastern country, or another country, where Israeli stamped passports are not accepted as valid. Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times.
Finally, if you have made a decision to volunteer in Palestine, and you want to come and join the Palestinian Center programs, all you need to do is to send us an email expressing your wish. Please send this email to info@gopalestine.org and we will be in contact with you and send you the application form and answer all your questions.