Skare Erik. Road to October 7: A Brief History of Palestinian Islamism

Verso, 2025. — 208 p.How the guns in Hamas began commanding the partyIn Road to October 7, Erik Skare argues that Palestinian Islamism has been continuously shaped and determined by the fierce discussions and competition between moderates and hardliners about the way forward.The largest death toll in post-World War II Jewish history was caused by Islamist hardliners taking control over strategy because the moderates had few, if any, victories to show since Hamas took power in Gaza- politically, diplomatically, or economically. There is not one Hamas, Skare maintains, but many.This insightful and thorough book offers a fresh perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making an important contribution to understanding the region’s history and complexity.