Can hoop dreams help bridge Israeli-Palestinian divide?

    James Masters, CNN

    Updated 0940 GMT (1740 HKT) May 14, 2015

    PeacePlayers International is an organization which uses basketball to bring youngsters together. It has programs in Israel, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Net gains – PeacePlayers International is an organization which uses basketball to bring youngsters together. It has programs in Israel, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
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    The program encourages relationships between Israeli and Palestinian children with basketball at its core. There are also education seminars as well as leadership courses offered.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    On the court – The program encourages relationships between Israeli and Palestinian children with basketball at its core. There are also education seminars as well as leadership courses offered.
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    Over 50% of participants in the program are girls. Many of the Palestinian players have had to overcome cultural and political barriers to make it onto the basketball court.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Girl power – Over 50% of participants in the program are girls. Many of the Palestinian players have had to overcome cultural and political barriers to make it onto the basketball court.
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    At the start of the 2010-2011 season, PeacePlayers entered the first ever integrated teams from East and West Jerusalem in the prestigious Israeli National Basketball League.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    One team – At the start of the 2010-2011 season, PeacePlayers entered the first ever integrated teams from East and West Jerusalem in the prestigious Israeli National Basketball League.
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    Toot, who is Israeli and Duha, who is Palestinian, are two of the programs most successful graduates. Both have played a key role in the group's ongoing success.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Star players – Toot, who is Israeli and Duha, who is Palestinian, are two of the programs most successful graduates. Both have played a key role in the group's ongoing success.
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    Toot (right) says her experiences at PeacePlayers have completely transformed her opinions of Palestinians.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Crossing the divide – Toot (right) says her experiences at PeacePlayers have completely transformed her opinions of Palestinians.
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    Duha, who lives in East Jerusalem, says basketball crosses cultural and language barriers. Since starting out at the age of six, she has now learned Hebrew and English.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Do the talking on the court – Duha, who lives in East Jerusalem, says basketball crosses cultural and language barriers. Since starting out at the age of six, she has now learned Hebrew and English.
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    In May 2014, the under-18 girls team made history by winning the Israeli National League Championship for the Southern Division. Toot netted a last-second winner.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Champions – In May 2014, the under-18 girls team made history by winning the Israeli National League Championship for the Southern Division. Toot netted a last-second winner.
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    A delegation from PeacePlayers was invited to the White House last October. They played on the President's court much to the delight of those involved.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    White House visit – A delegation from PeacePlayers was invited to the White House last October. They played on the President's court much to the delight of those involved.
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    Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Israel. Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of the most successful clubs in the European game.
    Photos: PeacePlayers on court
    Basketball crazy – Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Israel. Maccabi Tel Aviv is one of the most successful clubs in the European game.
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    PeacePlayers1Little kids basketballPeacePlayers2PeacePlayers3PeacePlayers4PeacePlayers8PeacePlayers5PeacePlayers6PeacePlayers7Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball

    (CNN)As the sirens went off over Jerusalem, two families on opposite sides of the city rushed to their air-raid shelters.

    While the world watched on as bombs rained down on Gaza and rockets flew into Israel last year, one Israeli girl and one Palestinian girl grabbed their phones.
    "My family and I were gathered in our shelter and the next thing I know is that I've got a text message from my Palestinian friend," Toot, a 17-year-old Israeli told CNN.
      "She's sitting in her shelter with her family and she's asking if I'm alright and if everybody is OK.