An emotional visit by Palestinians in what they consider their homeland.
Palestinian refugees from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan traveled to the West Bank for a historic visit.
For many of them -- it's the first time a member of the family has set foot on the Palestinian territories.
In Jericho, they received a warm welcome from residents.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN REFUGEE FROM SYRIA, RAWAN AL-BASH, SAYING:
"I am happy because it is my first visit to my own country. I am mad because the perfect image of my country is like this. Also I am surprised because I had some illusions but when I came here, reality is different."
The visit took them as well to Bethlehem -- which for them was as much a tourist destination as it was a place of their roots.
The refugees also traveled to the ancient city of Hebron, precious to Christians, Jews and Muslims for being the burial site of biblical figures.
The area has seen tensions, with around 400 Jewish settlers living in enclaves among 150,000 Palestinians.
The organisers of the First Return Youth Forum are seeking to promote communication among Palestinian youth living in different parts of the world.
Some 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from the territories or fled during the war with Israel in 1947 to '48.
The refugees and their descendants make up a community of about 4 million living in the West Bank, Gaza and abroad.
Very much alive in them is the dream of returning home to what is now Israel.
The fate of Palestinian refugees would be a big component in any peace deal.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
