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.

Hide Caption

1 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

2 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

3 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

4 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

5 of 10

Photos: PeacePlayers on court

Crossing the divide – Toot (right) says her experiences at PeacePlayers have completely transformed her opinions of Palestinians.

Hide Caption

6 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

7 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

8 of 10

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.

Hide Caption

9 of 10