The Palestine Legal Internship and Advocacy Program (1-12 weeks) offers a unique opportunity to gain practical legal experience while immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and history of Palestine. Designed for law students and recent graduates, this program provides a valuable platform to strengthen your legal skills, gain international exposure, and broaden your professional perspective.
The Palestinian Law and Justice Internship Program offers flexible durations ranging from 1 to 12 weeks, allowing you to customize your experience to fit your schedule and goals. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced lawyers and legal professionals on real cases, gaining valuable insight into the Palestinian legal system and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Palestinian community.
Alongside your legal work, you’ll have the opportunity to study Arabic and experience Palestinian daily life by staying with a host family. This immersive experience will give you a unique perspective on local customs, traditions, and the realities of life for Palestinian families, enriching your time in Palestine.
As part of the program, you’ll also have the chance to visit refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, offering a powerful look at the effects of the ongoing conflict and occupation on Palestinian refugees. These visits provide a unique, firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by ordinary people in Palestine.
Throughout your internship, you’ll be supported by an experienced team dedicated to providing all the training and resources needed for a rewarding experience. You’ll also participate in cultural activities and excursions, allowing you to gain a well-rounded understanding of Palestine and its people.
Overall, interning at a Palestinian law firm offers invaluable legal experience while deepening your knowledge of Palestinian culture and history. For those interested in a career in law and eager for international experience, this program is an exceptional choice.
The Legal System in Palestine – Complex & Multifaceted
The legal system in Palestine is a complex and multifaceted system that has evolved over time in response to the unique challenges and circumstances faced by the Palestinian people. Despite the many challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and occupation, Palestine has made significant strides in recent years to develop a modern and effective legal system.
The legal system in Palestine is based on a combination of Islamic law, Ottoman law, and British common law. The Palestinian Basic Law serves as the constitutional framework for the country, outlining the fundamental rights and duties of citizens, the structure of government, and the relationship between the various branches of government.
The Palestinian legal system is divided into two main branches: the judiciary and the legal profession. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting and applying the law, while the legal profession includes lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals who work to ensure that justice is served.
The Palestinian judiciary comprises three levels: the first instance courts, the appeals courts, and the Supreme Court. The first instance courts handle civil and criminal cases, while the appeals courts handle appeals from the first instance courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and serves as the final court of appeal.
In addition to the judiciary, the legal profession in Palestine is governed by the Palestinian Bar Association, which is responsible for overseeing the practice of law and ensuring that lawyers adhere to professional standards of conduct.
Despite the progress made in recent years, the Palestinian legal system still faces many challenges. The ongoing conflict and occupation pose significant obstacles to the effective administration of justice, while the lack of resources and funding can make it difficult to provide adequate legal services to all citizens.
Overall, the legal system in Palestine is a complex and evolving system that continues to develop in response to the needs and challenges faced by the Palestinian people. While there are still many challenges to be overcome, the commitment of Palestinian legal professionals and the support of the international community provide hope for a more just and equitable future for all Palestinians.
Where does the law program take Place?
It takes place in the heart of Palestine, in the city of Hebron. Hebron, Al-Khalil in Arabic, is located in the southern part of the West Bank. It is 30 km (19 miles) south of Jerusalem. The population of Hebron is about 300,000 persons who reside in the city, and about another 500,000 who live in the surrounding villages.
How long can I participate in the Palestinian Law and Justice Internship Program ?
Our interns can choose to participate in the program for a period of one up to six weeks. Whatever length of time you choose, we will support you so that you have a great and unique experience at a Palestinian law firm and in this wonderful city of Hebron.
The law internship in Palestine program Aspects
This program focuses on two main aspects: Theoretical-Practical & Linguistic-Social :
Theoretical & Practical
- This program includes working at a Palestinian law firm in the city of Hebron five days a week.
- It includes also field visits/meetings through lawyers who speak English to meet with lawyers and trainee lawyers working in courts in Hebron city in order to illustrate their role in resolving people’s problems and their influences on the legal system in Palestine.
- Participants will visit courts, and legal organizations to understand the role of law in an occupied country such as Palestine.
Linguistic & Social
- Participants study Arabic as a part of immersion. The center will provide you with weekly language classes and the opportunity to practice the language with native speakers.
- The program provides 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. These activities especially target children and youth with an aim to develop their skills in various educational and social fields.
The Benefits of the law internship program
By participating in this program, you will get the following:
- You’ll work at a Palestinian law firm in the city of Hebron.
- You will have a guide/Lawyer (who speaks English) who will accompany you during your stay in Hebron.
- Meet Palestinian local lawyers who will tell you about their profession in the law field, cases they work on, and the difficulties they face during work.
- Visit Palestinian courts in Hebron with a guide who show you and explain how the courts function in Palestine.
- A chance to make workshops or to be a guest lecturer in Hebron university – Faculty of Law or at the legal clinic where you can meet, interact and discuss with the law students and professors at the university.
- Engaging in the Palestinian community, culture, and daily life.
- Visiting historical sites and refugee camps in Hebron.
- Get 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week.
- Accommodation, including either staying with a Palestinian host family or at a dorm.
- Palestinian breakfast every day with other international volunteers and staff.
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 in the afternoon. The assigned lawyer will come to pick you up from the center and take you to the court (incl. Sharia court) and legal departments according to the lawyer’s cases. This includes attending court hearings, case analyzing, and visiting different departments such as Palestinian Land Authority, Hebron Municipality, Finance Department, Police, and Hebron Interior Directorate.
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
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.
Free Time Starts At 16:00 Or At 16:30
After your time in the center is over, you have free time when 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 cafés and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.
Who Can Apply?
- The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, and many more.
- Lawyers, judges, prosecutors, law professors, law students, and anyone who is interested in the legal sphere is welcome to apply to the Lawyers in Palestine program. Individuals from 18 – 75 years old are eligible to participate in this program.
Palestinian Law and Justice Internship Program Fees
395$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips and certificate of participation.
760$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips and certificate of participation.
1150$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips and certificate of participation.
1395$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips and certificate of participation.
1650$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1900$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2500$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
3600$
American DollarsThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
Information Regarding the Palestinian Law and Justice Internship Program
| Place of Program | Hebron, Palestine |
| Age | 18-70 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration | One Week |
| Maximum Duration | 12 Weeks |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days including Fridays |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Duration of Participation in the Palestinian Law and Justice Internship Program
The minimum period of participation is one week up to 12 weeks. This minimum requirement allows for our participants to receive the most out of their time learning about the legal system in Palestine.
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 courts in Hebron to attend hearings and meet lawyers/trainee lawyers. You will also work on cases and visit law organisations. |
| 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 |
Do I need to speak Arabic? Can I add more Arabic hours?
No, interns are not obligated to know Arabic in order to participate in the program. We place our participants at the appropriate language level. You can also add more Arabic hours, each extra hour costs $20.00 more. Please mention this in your application.
Can I extend my program duration while I am there?
Yes, interns are allowed to extend their participation period. In this case, interns must inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ 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 |
When can I apply for the program?
Participants decide when they would like to participate. We are very flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates so that the applicant decides to start and end dates for him/herself.
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.
How to apply or get any additional information?
Please email Mr.Tamimi, at info@govolunteerinpalestine.org. Please type The Palestine Legal Internship and Advocacy Program in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us of your interest, ask any questions you may have, and request an application. Very shortly, we will reply to you.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
