Palestinian Rule of Law Program

The Palestinian Rule of Law (PROL) Program provides for graduate-level studies in law leading to an LLM (Masters of Laws) degree. The PROL program is predicated upon a belief that the institutionalization of the rule of law will be a key component of political, economic, and social development in the Palestinian territories and underlie any lasting, peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is a goal of the PROL Program that fellows, upon their return home, will contribute to the economic and democratic growth of the Palestinian territories and serve as leaders in their fields of specialization.

The program places participants at host law schools in the United States and the Central European University in Budapest, an OSI-affiliated institution providing American-style teaching and U.S.-accredited qualifications. Before beginning their degree programs, fellows attend the intensive OSF Summer School in Istanbul which includes legal writing instruction. During the academic year, fellow conferences are held to increase the group’s cohesiveness as a networked cohort.

Fellows who successfully complete the one-year LLM degree can use program funding to undertake an internship/work placement at a nonprofit or nongovernmental institution that furthers their practical training in specialized fields. The internship can be in the U.S., Occupied Palestinian Territories, or elsewhere. However, a primary goal of the program is that fellows use their newly acquired skills towards institutionalizing the rule of law and the values of an open society upon their return home.