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