The Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Program is designed for students and professionals from a variety of fields, including law, human rights, international relations, and journalism. Participants in the program are placed with local human rights organizations in Palestine and Israel, where they work on issues such as documenting human rights abuses, advocacy for the rights of Palestinians, and promoting peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
One of the main goals of the Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Program is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the human rights situation in Palestine and Israel. Through their work with local organizations, participants are able to witness firsthand the impact of the conflict on the lives of Palestinians, as well as the ways in which human rights are being violated on both sides. This experience can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about the conflict and advocating for change.
The program is a unique opportunity for students and professionals to gain practical experience working with human rights organizations in Palestine and Israel. The program provides participants with a deeper understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on human rights, and equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate for change. If you are interested in human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this program may be an excellent opportunity for you to gain valuable experience and make a difference in the lives of Palestinians.
The Roots and Evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Jewish Zionists began immigrating to Palestine with the aim of establishing a Jewish homeland. Tensions between Jews and Arabs increased, and in 1947, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, but this plan was rejected by the Arab leadership.
In 1948, when the British mandate ended, Israel declared its independence, and Arab armies from neighboring countries invaded Israel. The resulting war, known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. Since then, the conflict has continued, with multiple wars, uprisings, and peace negotiations, and ongoing issues related to borders, status, and human rights abuses.
The Complex Human Rights Situation in Palestine
The human rights situation in Palestine is marked by a complex and multifaceted set of challenges stemming from decades of conflict, occupation, and displacement. Palestinians face a wide range of human rights violations, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, discrimination, and violence.
The Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has resulted in ongoing human rights abuses, including restrictions on access to resources, demolitions of homes, and limited access to necessities. Palestinian citizens of Israel also face discrimination and limitations on their political participation and freedom of expression. Human rights organizations have documented additional human rights abuses, including the use of excessive force, and the situation remains a critical concern for the international community.
The Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Aspects
This program focuses on two main aspects: Theoretical-Practical & Linguistic-Social :
Theoretical & Practical
- The program offers field trips to meet with organizations, field researchers, academics, and officials working in politics related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The program also includes field trips to meet with human rights activists, lawyers, and trainee lawyers working in courts in Hebron city to learn about the mechanisms of protecting human rights in Palestine.
- The program includes day trips to visit refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, where participants will learn about the daily challenges faced by Palestinian refugees and their communities
- Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Palestinian residents living in areas within the city of Hebron that are under Israeli control named “H1,” who often face harassment from Israeli settlers due to the occupation policies.
- Participants will have the chance to hear the stories of the locals, ask questions, and interact with them.
Linguistic & Social
- The center will provide you with weekly Arabic language classes and a real opportunity to practice the language with native speakers during your stay in Palestine.
- The program will provide you with the opportunity to participate in the social, educational, and cultural activities organized by the center that is aimed at targeting the Palestinian community in Hebron, including teaching individual or group English classes. These activities especially target children & youth with an aim to develop their skills in various educational and social fields.
The Benefits of the Conflict and Human Rights Program
- You will have the opportunity to meet with organizations, field researchers, activists, and workers who focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and human rights issues in Palestine.
- You will visit Palestinian people who reside in areas of Hebron that are under Israeli control, named “H1”. These people are an example of those who suffer from occupation policies and harassment from Israeli settlers.
- You will immerse yourself in Palestinian community, culture, and daily life during the program.
- The program includes visits to historical sites in the city.
- You will have day trips to refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as to areas of political importance.
- Arabic language lessons are provided for 3 hours per week for all participants.
- Accommodation is provided for the length of the program. You can either stay with a Palestinian host family or at an apartment on the 8th floor. Private accommodation is also available at an extra fee.
- You will be provided with a Palestinian breakfast every day and will have the opportunity to enjoy it with other international volunteers and staff.
The Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Fees
325$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
690$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
965$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1750$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1950$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2270$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2750$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2950$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
3150$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
What does the Participation Fee include?
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Feild Visits/Meetings | To visit organizations/field researchers, as well as camp residents & families living in H2 area in Hebron. |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Two Classes/ 1,5 hours each. |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast at the center |
| Day Trips | To Refugees camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance |
| Sightseeings in Hebron | Historical & politically important sites in Hebron and Hebron factories. |
| Certificate of Participation | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
How to pay the fees? (Payment Options)
- You may pay your participation fees either by Bank Transfer or by Western Union or MoneyGram. Payment via Western Union and MoneyGram, you can do the transfer online using your credit card.
- Payment of fees and signing of the participation contract must be made to reserve your place in the program.
- In participation fees that exceed $800, the applicant can pay 40% in advance and the rest of the 60% must be paid 45 days before the date of participation.
- Unfortunately, the participation fees can’t be paid in cash, as we arrange your participation ahead of time.
How Do I Get A Visa To Enter Palestine?
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued 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/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, 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. You may check to see whether your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.
Eligibility to Apply
- The program is open to individuals between the ages of 18 to 75, regardless of nationality or background.
- The Palestinian Center has hosted participants from various countries, including but not limited to the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, and Germany.
What does your weekly schedule look like?
We at GO Palestine are keen to make your weekly schedule diversified, rich, and organized. Thus, it will contain a number of educational, social, and fun activities that will make your experience in Palestine special and unique.
Breakfast starts at 9:30 am
The day at our center starts with a special Palestinian breakfast at 9:30 in the morning and ends at approximately 10:15. Our breakfast contains a number of ingredients, including Palestinian thyme (Zaatar), labneh, tomato and cucumber slices, falafel, hummus, mortadella, olives, yellow cheese, jam, pita bread, boiled or fried eggs, and French fries. The ingredients are changed (among the mentioned ingredients) from time to time to diversify the breakfast.
The Content of the program starts at 10:30
The content of your program begins at 10:30 in the morning and continues until 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon. This may include field visits, meetings with different institutions related to the chosen program, or teaching conversational English to a number of Palestinian students. This differs depending on the program you are joining.
Lunch Break starts at 2:00 pm
At two o’clock in the afternoon begins the lunch break, which lasts for an entire hour. You can buy lunch from a restaurant next to the center. There are a number of restaurants nearby, which provide meals such as shawarma, falafel, and fried chicken as well as traditional Palestinian meals such as Maqluba, Hebron’s Qidreh, Chicken Mansaf or Lamp Mansaf, and other meals. There are also a number of supermarkets/malls nearby where you can buy what you need and cook yourself in the center.
Arabic Language Classes (MSA and Levantine/Colloquial)
Weekly, you will get two Arabic language classes for an hour and a half each. These classes are taught by one of our skilled/qualified teachers. Arabic language classes are held at different times, either in the morning or, in most cases, in the afternoon. The student can choose whether to study Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic (Ammiya), or both.
Day Trips to Refugee Camps in Bethlehem & Hebron
Once every week, a day trip is organized to the refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as to areas of political importance whenever the opportunity arises. These trips will give you the opportunity to learn about the conditions of the Palestinian refugees, talk to them and learn their stories. These trips depart at 10:45 am from the center and end approx. at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon.
Local Visits to Learn about the Landmarks of the city of Hebron
Once every two weeks, local visits are organized to the historical and economic landmarks of the city of Hebron. This includes a visit to the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City, and Al-Shuhada Street as well as visiting a number of factories in the city, such as keffiyeh, glass, and ceramic factories.
Prepare & Cook a Traditional Palestinian Dish
Once every two or three weeks, all our volunteers, interns, and Arabic language’ students join together to prepare and cook a traditional Palestinian dish. This includes preparing appetizers, frying vegetables, cooking rice, chopping chicken or meat, and stuffing some vegetables depending on the dish to be cooked that day.
Free Time starts at 16:00 or at 16:30
After your time in the center is over, you have free time where you can hang out with other international participants and/or locals you met during your stay in Hebron by going to a café or coffee shop or going to a park and enjoying your time in the evening. There are many cafes and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.
Traveling Solo to Palestine
Traveling to Palestine, whether with someone or alone, is an interesting and once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Safety is always a concern no matter where one travels, but with common sense and planning, your travel can be enjoyable, fun, and worry-free, as well as save you money.
People in Palestine are very friendly, enthusiastic, and eager to help and to talk with people from different cultures and countries. The opportunities to interact with internationals will make a Palestinian’s day, and, in turn, this will make your trip more enjoyable and interesting. If you are traveling alone, your solitariness will make you more approachable than if you are traveling as a group member.
Do not let your fears and apprehensions paralyze you and rob you of the adventure of a lifetime. Come to Palestine as a solitary traveler and experience its fascinations and beauties. It has been said that “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. Allow yourself to read the whole book – a book you will never forget!
Overview of the Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Program
| Place of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict & Refugees Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Program Fees | Starting From 325$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-70 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration of Conflict & Refugees Program | One Week |
| Maximum Duration of Conflict & Refugees Program | 12 Weeks – Three Months |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days including Fridays & Thursdays or Saturdays |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Do I need to speak Arabic?
- Interns are not obligated to know Arabic.
- The center will provide you with three hours of Arabic lessons each week with one of our teachers.
- The participant can choose either to study Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) or Spoken Arabic Language (known as Ammyia) once they start their program.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ a Week |
| Weekend in Palestine | On Friday |
| Food in Palestine | The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils. |
| Wifi Access in Palestine | At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere |
| 3G Service in Palestine | Available since Jan 2018 |
| The official language in Palestine | Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects) |
| Currency in Palestine | Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land. |
| Transportations in Palestine | Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans |
| Weather in Palestine | Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C) |
| Nearest Major Airports to Palestine | Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan |
Can I add more Arabic hours to the program?
Yes; however, each extra hour costs $20.00 more. Please mention this in your application.
Can I extend my program?
Yes, interns are allowed to extend their participation period. In this case, interns must inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
Application Timeline
- Applicants have the flexibility to decide when to join a program as an intern. We are very flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates.
- Applicants also choose their length of participation, which is a minimum of one week up to one month.
Who are our volunteer & internship programs suitable for?
We at Go Palestine seek to provide internship and volunteer programs in Palestine, West Bank that suit everyone & achieve their expectations/goals of visiting and staying in Palestine. Our volunteer and internship programs in Palestine are suitable for everyone between the ages of 18- 75-year-old, which makes it available to:
- Students of universities, colleges and institutions of higher education.
- Graduates and postgraduates students.
- Academic researchers & field Researchers.
- Students who are working on writing their Master’s or PhD dissertations on topics related to Palestine or Middle East.
- Students are searching for internship or volunteer places in Palestine required by their university or college. University Credit is available.
- Gap year students who are looking to do a volunteer or an internship in Palestine.
- Students of Arabic literature, Arab studies, and cultural studies related to Arab and Middle Eastern culture.
- Students of Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies, or studies related to the Middle East region or relevant studies.
- Anyone who is an eager to learn about different aspects of life in Palestine.
What can be added to your volunteer program? “EXTRAS“
- Additional hours of Arabic language over the specified hours per week for $20 per additional hour.
- Private tours to other cities in Palestine including Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Jericho. Click HERE to learn more about the tours organised by Go Palestine.
- Pick-up and drop-off service from Ben Gurion Airport directly to Hebron within an hour and a half. The cost of the service is 130 USD (one way).
- A place for your friend or partner to live in Hebron, in our apartment in Hebron, or with a Palestinian family. Click HERE to check our hostel & private apartment in Hebron.
Our Achievements
- Experience in organizing international volunteer & internship programs for more than 12 years.
- Hosting international participants from more than 42 countries around the world.
- Cooperation & partnerships with more than 30 local community organizations in Hebron and Bethlehem.
- Our teachers & staff participated in various of international trainings and workshops in Europe and Middle East, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Cyprus, Jordan, Turkey and India.
- GO Palestine is the representative of the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition in Hebron.
- Partnerships with international organizations, including Go Abroad, Go Overseas, Idealist, Hey Success, Volunteer Match, and others.
What is the application process?
- Request the application form by sending an email to the program.
- Fill out the application and send it back to the program.
- The program team reviews the application and may invite for an interview through Skype/WhatsApp call.
- If selected, fill out and return the confirmation form, sign the contract, and make the payment to reserve a place in the program.
- Receive an Invitation Letter and an invoice for payment options.
- Receive an Orientation Booklet and travel instructions from the program, which includes a coordinator’s contact number for any further inquiries.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
How to apply or get any additional information?
Please email Mr. Tamimi at info@gopalestine.org. Please type Human Rights & Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Internship Program in the subject line. We will then contact you back!