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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