Marc Schulman traces Israel’s path from Oslo to Oct. 7 in new book

Historian and journalist Marc Schulman will publish Between Hope & Fear on Sept. 1, 2026, a book that examines how Israel moved from the optimism of the Oslo era to the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023. The book links three decades of war, diplomacy, political change and economic reinvention to the country’s present crisis.

Why it matters: - The book frames Oct. 7 as the result of three decades of political, military and social change, not as an isolated event. - Schulman argues that Israel’s modern story includes both repeated conflict and major economic and technological growth. - The book is aimed at readers trying to understand how Israel’s security, identity and internal divisions evolved over time.

What happened: - Historian and journalist Marc Schulman is publishing Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7: Politics, War, and Reinvention on Sept. 1, 2026. - The book examines Israel’s journey from the Oslo peace process and the Rabin-Arafat handshake to the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023. - The narrative covers Rabin’s assassination, Benjamin Netanyahu’s first election, the collapse of the peace process, the Second Intifada and Ariel Sharon’s Gaza disengagement. - The book also tracks the rise of Hamas, repeated wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the confrontation with Iran and growing internal political and social divisions.

The details: - Schulman says Israel’s transformation over the period was political, military, diplomatic, social, economic and technological. - The book says Israel absorbed large-scale immigration, built a dynamic technology sector and developed globally important companies. - The country also increased its prosperity while facing terrorism, war and political upheaval. - Schulman wrote the book from Tel Aviv using contemporary reporting, historical sources and his own experience in Israel. - The book will be available in hardcover, paperback and digital editions through major booksellers. - Schulman is available for interviews about the book and for commentary on Israel and the Middle East. - Schulman is the founder of HistoryCentral.com and writes the Tel Aviv Diary newsletter and podcast.

Between the lines: - Schulman is trying to shift the frame from a war-only history to a broader account of state-building under pressure. - The book’s argument is that Israel changed internally even as it faced repeated security shocks. - That broader lens makes Oct. 7 look less like a sudden rupture and more like the culmination of long-running trends and missed opportunities.

What's next: - Between Hope & Fear is set for release on Sept. 1, 2026. - Marc Schulman will continue promoting the book and offering commentary on current events through his newsletter, podcast and media appearances. - The book is positioned to enter broader debate over how to interpret Israel’s post-Oslo history.

The bottom line: - Schulman’s book argues that the path to Oct. 7 runs through three decades of unfinished peace efforts, recurring wars and rapid domestic transformation.