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Israeli Volunteers Invite Palestinian Children to Beach

Israeli women accompany Palestinian children and their mothers to Tel Aviv on a trip that for most is their first visit to the beach.
Palestinians play at the seaside of the Mediterranean at a beach in Tel Aviv during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan August 11, 2013. The Israeli Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories' (COGAT) responsible for implementing Israel's civilian policy in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, eased permit restrictions for thousands of Palestinians wanting to enter Israel following a security assessment, allowing many to enjoy the beaches along Israel's Mediterranea
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Even after seven years of activity, they are evidently still deeply excited. They are called the “Women of the Sea," as they have taken it upon themselves to give Palestinian children a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fun at the beach. So far, more than 5,000 children — newborn babies, young kids and teenagers up to the age of 15 — have enjoyed the experience.

It is Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 8 a.m., and the “Women of the Sea” are already waiting at Tel Baruch beach, north of Tel Aviv, for the arrival of the bus full of young Palestinians. They watch the goings-on on the other side of the border in the framework of the Machsomwatch (Checkpoint Watch) movement, in which they follow closely the behavior of Israel Defense Forces soldiers at the West Bank checkpoints.

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