Nightly News   |  January 30, 2011

Israelis, Palestinians gaze across border with concern

Fearful of the potential for a harder-line Islamist leadership in Egypt, as well as the potential for unrest, Israelis and Palestinians are watching events unfold with high interest. NBC’s Michelle Kosinski reports.

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>>> just across egypt 'sed or he, israelis and palestinians are, of course, watching events unfold with growing nervousness. michelle kosinski joins us live from tel aviv with that part of the story. michelle, good evening.

>> reporter: hi, kate. people here say they know they are watching history unfold around the clock on their television. for them, the difference is it is so close. already we are seeing some people enter gaza from egypt through tunnels and what happens to egypt next will determine whether israel still has that one key ally in its own region. on a rainy night in tel aviv , people warm up in cav nice relax, the conversation returns to the fire that is raging a bothered away.

>> we are afraid. we are afraid. no doubt, every israeli is afraid.

>> reporter: afraid of losing mubarak and egypt as an ally, even if it is, they acknowledge, a cold peace, but one that's endured more than 30 years. afraid of the potential for a harder line islamic leadership there strengthening others around them. afraid of militants crossing through tunnels into the gaza strip , like newly escaped prisoner has san washa who readily admits he was locked up in egypt for plotting an attack on israel .

>> i was not successful. i'm grateful to god in any case.

>> reporter: the palestinian city of ramallah, worries about unrest spreading but many hoping it will.

>> i think if there is a democratic regime in egypt . that that will be very good for palestinians, israelis.

>> reporter: in tel aviv , too, is the younger home say the same thing, not afraid. 32-year-old writer feels for the egyptian poor. the freedoms they want that she enjoys.

>> i mean, the people who demonstrate now in egypt are the young people . the people that work hard. the people want to be free.

>> reporter: young people here see what's happening in egypt coming from other young people who are a lot like them. of course, the big unknown is who will gain power next? and today, prime minister benjamin netanyahu , who spoke to president obama and secretary of state clinton yesterday said the goal is to preserve peace with egypt and act now with responsibility, restraint and careful consideration, kate.

>> michelle kosinski don't in israel , thank you.