first let's see what russians think about the middle east peace process what does the crisis in egypt for israel the palestinian relations. really and palestinian leaders develop what many call the cold. well almost thirty years egypt has been israel's strongest ally in the middle east the public opinion foundation ask questions if there could be a loss to the conflict two parties in the region thirty four percent said peace is possible however another thirty two percent disagree it remains to be seen how would you egypt well impact the region back to peter and now we are joined by gil troy in jerusalem he is a professor of history at mcgill university professor choice thank you very much for being with us here and scouring the really israeli papers yesterday and this morning i thought it was quite interesting that a lot of editorials are asking where the ironically in many ways can israel make peace only with dictators and of course we're talking about the political changes happening in in egypt and this kind of you know interesting is that israel does have a lot of understanding that has a pea

that is particularly afraid of an islamic takeover in egypt israel has a lot of fears on its mind it's not just a general fear it's a very particular things you know israel's afraid of an islamic takeover of egypt israel's afraid of destabilization spreading to the palestinian areas and israel's afraid of a leader who might not be a full partner in dealing with iran and that's something you have to keep in mind these are obviously the biggest things on israel's mind that's always going to come first there's been a sense for a long time that mubarak is pretty much the only thing holding egypt in place as a peace partner so israelis are clearly very nervous they kept pretty quiet in the beginning but you saw early on that there is not a great deal of trust that a change in government in egypt will be good for israel there was already you know a politician who was saying that egypt is not ready for democracy necessarily it took our prime minister a long time to make any statement in support of democratic change in egypt and that's really that really com

general fear it's a very particular thing as you know israel is afraid of an islamist takeover of egypt israel's afraid of destabilization spreading to the palestinian areas and israel's afraid of a leader who might not be a full partner in dealing with iran and that's something that you have to keep in mind these are obviously the biggest things on israel's mind that's always going to come first israel's not necessarily that doesn't necessarily base its policy decisions right now on global isolation israel has a very unpopular policies in the world that doesn't necessarily deter the country yet. and you know global isolation is an important part of the dialogue here i can't say that as of yet it's really had a major impact on israeli policy keep mentioning the fear that israel is feeling right now but is that going to be positive for them what can easily do to make an impact on the political process in egypt is it really just fear. i don't think israel can do very much to have an impact i mean. it's yeah i would say fear is pretty much the driving force when i say fear that means obviously the

one is being our ambassador to egypt, and the other being our ambassador to israel. i am curious from your perspective as to what is at stake here specifically with regard to what egypt will do, won't do, will become or won't become in the future in the middle east? >> tavis, let me start with what i think is not at stake. there has been a lot of breathless analysis that somehow the peace treaty between egypt and israel may be up for grabs. people are looking at this question quite carefully. i don't believe that is the case. almost any scenario, a successor regime to that of hosni mubarak will find in its over interests to maintain the peace treaty with israel. that treaty haven't necessarily been characterized with the friendliest of relations, some have called it a cold peace, but there has never been a single violation of the rarningtse in that treaty, and there is no reason to believe that would occur under a successor regime. i don't believe there is a concern with respect to the nature of the treaty. but israeli-egyptian cooperation on issues related to securit

19, one day a holy highway between syria, egypt and israel. that is what many are doings. in egypt praying for the fulfillment of that prophecy. >> to see chris's entire interview log on to our website cwnews.org. southern sudan willing become the world's newest country in july. more than 98 voters choosing independence. sudan's president accepts the outcome. the north and south fought a decade-long war. more than 2 million people died in the conflict. two sides must negotiate a border, citizenship and oil rights. >>> one man's journey from darkness to light and how he found god's goodness, even,

israel's neck. if they are seeing a great opportunity in egypt, a strong supporter of the peace with israel. if egypt falls, jordan and hezbollah and lebanon in the north and a real noose on israel. chris mitchell was in cairo and they know they are at a cross roads. >> they are saying tht a tipping point in egypt's spiritual and natural history. it is important people are praying and fasting for 2 nation of egypt not back to islam but it turns more to freedom, more democracy, so the gospel, these prayer movements, these people coming to faith in jesus can change egypt, but the middle east and eventually the world. >> john waage cbn news. >> joining us now is joel rosenberg, the founder of the joshua fund, ministry to help christians, jews and muslims in the middle east. joel, pleasure to have you on the broadcast. for those that are watching around the world, christians, why should we care about what is going on in egypt? >> obvious reasons, instability there, largest country, 80 million mostly muslims, if this were toppled by radical islam, this would set off a wave of terrorism and outrigh

. >> we do not have to worry about our border with egypt. israelas had a peace accord with egypt and jordan. the fear is that it could be on the verge of losing its biggest and most powerful regional ally. if this continues, the worry is that there is worst to come. -- worse to come. >> there is a high chance that this may even of the gang. we cannot observe one mistake for we will not have a second chance. >> the region has entered a time from of even greater uncertainty. bbc news, jerusalem. >> the husband of the wounded u.s. congresswoman gabrielle giffords has begun training for the final flight of the space shuttle "endeavor." she was shot in the head a month ago. several people died in the incident. >> the last time he went into space, but now he is going back to lead a mission in april at the international space station. it is a remarkable turnaround. for the past month, he has been at the bedside of his wife congresswoman gabrielle giffords. in a shot in the head in tucson, ariz. outside of a shopping store. several were wounded and killed.

with egypt, israel feels another iran on its doorstep, but on a visit to the region, the british foreign secretary william hague expressed differences. the impact on the middle east peace process with the palestinians. >> it will get steadily more difficult, and within a few years may become impossible, and that would leave us with decades of potential conflict and even deeper difficulties in the middle east. it is one of our top priorities in foreign policy in the coming years. >> there was an effort launched by president obama last year, and it is already floundering. united states says a deal between israel and palestinians is essential to achieving peace in the region, but the deputy foreign minister is not so sure. >> the palestinian problem is not central to the stability in the middle east. president obama -- >> president obama and the european union would disagree with that. >> i am sorry. we respectfully disagree. we are allies and friends, but we have to look at the facts. >> how the events in egypt may react -- affect the palestinian-israel situation. we need to get a deal bef

egypt is in chaos. in israel, there is concern. it has not had to worry about its desert border with egypt for three decades. israel has a peace accord with but egypt and jordan. israel does not have many friends in the neighborhood, but tonight he fears is a it could be on the verge of losing its biggest and most powerful regional ally. the turmoil and egypt continues, the worry is there may be worse to come. >> be at to understand -- we have to understand and others and in the international community have to understand we're in a situation where there is a high chance it will erupt again. and even if it is so little, it cannot absorb even one mistake. we will not have a second chance. >> it is an alarming morning. this unstable region is entering a time of the greater uncertainty. >> burma's parliament has made the outgoing prime minister thein sein the head of state. he is a former general and a former member of the previous military government. rachel harvey reports from bangkok. >> burma's first civilian president for half a ce

sixty seven and later than the invaded lebanon several times so they might preventively attack israel egypt to be totally foolish for them but i don't see the egyptian attacking israel on the other hand of course if a democratic regime comes to power in egypt whether it's the muslim brotherhood or other people it's bound to be and because the people in the region and i mean that's a symbol is that. there is no way that they can have offended regime which is the mccarthy well let's talk about what might fill the void if mubarak does step down as to the full circle now we know that made european powers have a supporter that u.s. stance of asking for a peaceful transition of power in cairo do you think they're united in calling for that for a democratic transition or are there any separate agendas that pay. it's very difficult to see very difficult to know what you hope will be in things because they don't really think you see there's a problem of the european construction is that created a vast bureaucracy which in fact. is not leave the possibility to thing in the time of the goal or the tim

the egypt-israel peace treaty of 1979 is central to fulfilling that commitment. i also feel it's important to express a grave concern about the muslim brotherhood in egypt and their stance against preserving a peaceful relationship with israel. according to its charter, mr. chairman, the muslim brotherhood seeks to impose the shria law and to conquer muslim, quote, noninfidel states. they recently pledged the brotherhood would continue to raise the banner of jihad against the jews. he called the jews the brotherhood's first and foremost enemies. another top muslim brotherhood leader mohammed gainam said to the arabic language television network that he believed egypt should close the suez canal to u.s. warships and that, quote, the people of egypt should be prepared for war against israel. mr. chairman, there are now reports iranian ships are passing unimpeded through the suez canal this very night. the obama administration recently said the muslim brotherhood is largely a secular group which has eshooed violence -- ashewed violence and they've pursued social ends

least did hold that peace with egypt and israel. >> well, he did. and this is true. but it was also described as the cold peace by many israelis and there were many times when mubarak would also be critical of israeli behavior. certainly toward the palestinians. so we should not see a romancization of what the israeli view is of mubarak. mubarak was tough. many times. so israel should watch. they should be careful to see what happens next. but they should not have fear. this is a new day that does provide opportunities for new relationships. >> following events on the streets of cairo, has been watching the celebrations among the crowds near tahir square. >> the young soldiers are still standing. they're here at one of the many entrances to tahir square. but this place is now exploding. [inaudible] they are making their own history tonight. victory of the people of the country. celebration tonight. >> i love my country. and i love the people. and i love the -- many in egypt. i am very happy right now. i am very happy. it fell away. >> well, these ar

government for supporting israel and said egypt doesn't need american economic aid. rael's prime minister benjamin netanyahu repeatedly voiced concerns over the possibility of an anti-israel administration taking over after a power shift. >>> the u.s. government is urging the egyptian army not to use force following wednesday's clashes between anti-government protestors and supporters of president mubarak. >> the president's administration strongly condemn the outrageous and deplorable violence that's taking place on the streets of cairo. if any of the violence is instigated by the government, it should stop immediately. >> gibbs said u.s. defense secretary robert gates, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff admiral mike mullen and other u.s. military officials at all levels are contacting their egyptian counterparts. the egyptian army's moves are being closely watched amid the deepening confrontation between mubarak supporters and opponents. the u.s. government provides more than $1.2 million in annual aid and helped to train senior officers for more than three decad

that has been intentionally produced by israel so and i think that having a democratically elected government in egypt would be less willing to tolerate that and more willing to speak up i don't think the egyptian people have any interest in going to war israel netanyahu has been going around sort of painting this picture that suddenly you know if the strongman isn't isn't there to hold these people back that all these violent crazy arabs are going to come and suddenly attack egypt and this is certainly the picture that israel has been painting about arabs for for the past six decades producing this image of a of us as being simply irrational violent inherently crazy people i suppose and that's what he has been going around to embassies and to television saying but if i if i may just finish please and i know that as you know. susan finish john go ahead . this is idea if you make a new star and rankly this isn't my place big susan. going to get over it in. five minutes john wright the libel that's been directed against israel by the past two in the past five minutes really is reprehensible and it's a d

has a peace accord with egypt and jordan. israeldoesn't have many friends in the neighborhood and tonight here the fear is that it could be on the verge of losing its biggest and most powerful regional ally. if the turmoil in egypt continues, the worry is there may be worse to come. >> we have to understand and others from the international community have to understand that israel is living that a situation in which there is very high chances that the turmoil will erupt again and even because it's so little cannot absorb even one mistake. we will not have a second chance. >> it is an alarming warning. this unstable region has entered a period of greater uncertainty. matthew price, bbc news, jerusalem. >> border clashes between the thai and cambodian armies have killed several soldiers and civilians. the incident happened near a 900 euro hindu temple that has been a flash point for both countries. both sides have accused the other of firing first. >> the immediate aftermath of the shelling, this village is at the center of an ancient

responsibilitying. >> reporter: if you read isaiah 19, one day a holy highway between syria, egypt and israel. that is what many are doings. in egypt praying for the fulfillment of that prophecy. >> to see chris's entire interview log on to our website cwnews.org. southern sudan willing become the world's newest country in july. more than 98 voters choosing independence. sudan's president accepts the outcome. the north and south fought a decade-long war. more than 2 million people died in the conflict. two sides must negotiate a border, citizenship and oil rights. >>> one man's journey from darkness to light and how he found god's goodness, even, even in the depths of the earth. >> the husband of an american missionary killed in mexico says he'll continue their work in that country. nancy davis died after gunman opened fire on the truck 70 mile holy spirit south of the texas border. she and her husband were visiting churches they established. the husband will continue to visit and support churches in mexico. >>> 33 miners buried percent underground and watched with joy as the miners emerged 1

, creating quite a lot of fear and anxiety in israel about what the future may hold, not just for egypt, but what might happen to other regimes in the region, particularly a concern here in israel, jordan, the other arab country that has a peace agreement, and what might happen in syria. whether people there will go on living under fairly oppressive regimes or may take the example of egypt and also start to protest against their own governments. > >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its global expertise to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer pro

deeply unpopular in egypt. israel feels they have all the understandings they need with the current system in egypt and any change to that system -- >> let me ask you this. if mubarak does go, do you think the camp david accord, the thing that's been in force here for 30 years now is that out the wip doe? >> i think the israelis have better understandings with -- they have excellent understandings with mubarak. they have agreements on gaza and a range of issues. when you start talking about bringing in other players and broader politics in egypt, that's when the israelis get extremely concerned because that leads you away from the kipeds of very pragmatic understandings that the current government of egypt has reached. >> i think that as long as the army remains the back bone of power, which is the very likelyout come anyway, although i would argue that for many egyptians, fortunately, the army is the instrument of the state, but unfortunately, it's also the instrument of the regime. but that's a different question. w

brotherhood is going to be crucial because we need to keep this the peace treaty that exists between egypt and israel absolutely needs to stay now there is a concern if the muslim brotherhood appearing too much power again too much influence in egypt that they will seek to rescind this treaty which would obviously be a huge problem the reason why america has given so much aid to egypt which you alluded to in the first question a large part of it has been role in trying to broker some kind of lasting peace between israel and palestine so it's really important from the peace process his point of view the. government can continue to play that kind of role. now the face of the arab world seems to be changing with all of these protests looming in the region what kind of greater middle east do you think we're going to see in the near future. it's really impossible to tell obviously the fact the when people voted in iraq in two thousand and five i think it was such a hugely symbolic moment and we hope that perhaps the democratic process would move along a bit quicker than it has obviously a lot of countries

the government has -- between egypt and israel and between jordan and israel. but even the fear of the muslims -- or other islamic movements, like what happened in hamas and gaza. they said earlier, you can nominate the president in the election coming in september. they are not going to be the majority, but their power in the country is not more than 20%. they started to demonstrate, so in this case, the time is now. but democracy, it's very good to maybe revise some items. to change that. it's not like all the discussion. but to improve or to make like the -- to make egypt effective. so this may be the fear of israel from that. >> many thanks for coming in. and this is "bbc news." still ahead, people power. how a mass movement then brought down an authoritarian leader in just 18 days. well, as we know, new technology played a huge role in egypt's uprising. over the past few weeks, the bbc has been inundated with video footage as the crisis unfolded. in the last few hours, many people have been expressing their response online to president mubarak standing dow

deeply unpopular in egypt. israel feels they have all the understandings they need with the current system in egypt and any change to that system -- >> let me ask you this. if mubarak does go, do you think the camp david accord, the thing that's been in force here for 30 years now is that out the wip doe? >> i think the israelis have better understandings with -- they have excellent understandings with mubarak. they have agreements on gaza and a range of issues. when you start talking about bringing in other players and broader politics in egypt, that's when the israelis get extremely concerned because that leads you away from the kipeds of ver pragmatic understandings that the current government of egypt has reached. >> i think that as long as the army remains the back bone of power, which is the very likelyout come anyway, although i would argue that for many egyptians, fortunately, the army is the instrument of the state, but unfortunately, it's also the instrument of the regime. but that's a different question. wh

is basically when we started working with both of their militaries similarly in the case of egypt and israel. after the seventy three war when egypt basically said change suppliers from. soviet union quote russia the united states again we've had a stabilizing influence i think on both sides it's very hard to find much in the way of at least u.s. arms used against anybody over the last thirty years which is a pretty forty years was a pretty good record you know i like to say u.s. weapons work best when they're not used to the whole purpose of selling weapons to a large degree is so that a country that has them doesn't get attacked by anybody and one hopes they in turn are are aggressive. or comment on ok ok paul i'd like to go to you i mean and i don't want to jump ahead here but we might see egypt switch sides in one form or another we saw iran's change sides in one nine hundred seventy nine so a lot of that can be played out with a lot of military hardware there but paul i'd like to ask you i mean are more arms creating a more unstable world and according to a jewel it doesn't there's no c