Volunteering in Hebron

I was a volunteer at the Excellence Center for four weeks in November/December 2025, on the teach English/learn Arabic program.

My experience was overwhelmingly positive and enormously educational. Like many volunteers coming to Palestine at this time, I was motivated by a horror at what I had seen happening in Gaza, and a desire to lend support to, and show solidarity with the Palestinian people. During my time here, through visits to refugee camps, to Palestinian villages being threatened with destruction because of the desire of the Israeli settlers to take the land, and generally through witnessing the everyday life of the citizens of Hebron, the oppressive effects of the Occupation in the West Bank became very clear.

My most abiding impression is the warmth and openness of the Palestinian people. For someone coming from the UK, I was struck by how safe and crime-free the streets of Hebron feel. There is a strong community here—extended families support one another to a far greater degree than we are used to in the UK—and that helps underpin a safer environment. There may be a perception from abroad that the West Bank is a dangerous place, particularly since the events of October 2023. But that is simply not true.

As far as the Center is concerned, the quality of the Arabic teaching is high, but the English teaching is a little disorganised. There is a fast turnover of teachers, with some volunteers who are here only for a week or two taking over, and there is not much structure to the course. I would have preferred them to supply textbooks, or at least print-outs to the students. I had actually brought a printer with me to Hebron, so I was able to given them written sheets; but obviously most volunteers wouldn’t be in this position.

Overall, though, it was an extremely rewarding experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to gain insight into the Arab-Israeli conflict.