"Fragile Stability" as a Political background of October 7

This edited book aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the preceding and ongoing development of the Israel-Gaza war, using a multidisciplinary approach. The chapters, written by scholars of the Middle Eastern studies, political science, anthropology, and international law, investigate the root causes of the eruption of the war, taking a viewpoint from within. Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 caused deep shockwaves throughout the world. While the developments seemed unprecedented, the question remains whether it was an unpredictable total surprise. Given the context surrounding Palestine and Israel, it is likely that there were inherent elements in the preceding political environment that led to the current humanitarian disaster and quagmire of the battle. The assumption is that the existence of “fragile stability” might have caused the October 7 attack. What kind of fragility and robustness of the framework existed in the political, social, legal, and international conditions? How did these conditions affect the conduct of the actors in this region ultimately leading to the current situation? What challenges are likely to emerge in this region in the near future? This book addresses these questions from various perspectives. For the best clarification of the questions, authors include experts in American studies who discuss the diplomatic intervention of the United States, a former judge of the International Criminal Court who explores the role of international law in the conflict, and a legal advisor to the Oslo Peace Process who provides understanding the deep roots of the conflict. The analysis of this volume will provide an in-depth understanding of the background of the October 7 attack and contributes to the theoretical development of the concept of “fragile stability,” which can be applied to examine other cases of conflict.

“Fragile Stability provides a compelling and in-depth historical account of the background that proceeded Hamas’ assault on October 7, 2023, and how it led to an unprecedented upsurge of violence in Gaza, one of the darkest moments in human history. A must-read for those who wish not only to understand the Palestinian-Israeli conflict but also to envision ways of resolving it.”

--- Sari Hanafi, Professor, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

This topical edited volume includes a very important collection of essays addressing the political background and general context that led to the catastrophic Israel-Hamas War of 2023-2025, providing clues to make sense of the Hamas assault of October 7, 2023, followed by the Israeli military reaction in the Gaza Strip and the spread of the war in the region. Its unique contribution stems from different levels of analysis: several chapters refer to the domestic political landscapes in both Israel and Palestine, examining the numerous cleavages among and within both societies.  In addition, the scope of the analysis broadens by referring also to international law and other relevant international actors, including the United States and Iran.

--- Arie M. Kacowicz, Professor, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

This volume showcases the critical insights and scholarship of Japanese scholars of the Middle East about the causes and consequences of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the war which followed. With close studies of both Palestinian and Israeli politics, Fragile Stability makes a compelling case for an analytical framework which helps make sense of both dramatic changes and remarkable continuities in the conflict. 

--- Marc Lynch, Professor, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

Aiko Nishikida is a professor at Keio University. Her research focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, migration studies, and refugee studies. She received her BA and MA from the University of Tokyo and her Ph.D. from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies. She has been a visiting scholar at the Humboldt University in Berlin (2018-2019), the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (2012), and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (2011-2012). She served as editor-in-chief of the academic journal "AJAMES: Annal of Japan Association for Middle East Studies," published by the Japan Association for Middle East Studies. She is also a board member of the journal "Protest". Her publications include "Israeli Politics and "10/7" as a Boiling Point," Security Studies (published in Japan), 6(1) 26-39, Mar 25, 2024; "Hamas's ascension and its international relations: literature review" IDE (Institute of Developing Economies) Discussion Papers, (731) 1-12, Nov, 2018; "Hamas and the Gaza war of 2014: developments since the Arab spring in Palestine" IDE Discussion Papers, (732) 1-21, Nov, 2018. She has also edited Citizenship for Migrants and Refugees: A Comparative Study of Institutions and Practices of Inclusion and Exclusion from Nation-States, Tokyo: Yushindo-Kobunsha, 2016 (in Japanese).

Chie Ezaki is an associate professor at the National Defense Academy of Japan. Prior to joining the Academy she worked in the Middle East Research Institute of Japan and served as a research fellow on politics and security in the Middle East. She also served at the Embassy of Japan in Jordan as a special assistant to the political section. She mainly focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and international relations in the Middle East. Her publications include “The Middle East Peace Process: Its Development and Future,” Security Studies, 6(1), March 2024, 16-27; “Various Aspects on the Control of the Gaza Strip (in Japanese),” Kaigai Jijo [Journal of World Affairs], 72(2), March 2024, 30-41; “Israel’s Search for Order and the Global South: Between Military Power and Diplomacy (in Japanese),” Chuto Kenkyu [Journal of Middle Eastern Studies], (549), January 2024, 51-62; “The Foreign Relations of a Non-State Actor and Its Decisive Factors: The Case of Hamas (in Japanese),” Kokusai Seiji [International Relations], 195, March 2019, 108-12.

Toshiya Tsujita is an associate professor at Osaka University. He has previously served as a special assistant at the Embassy of Japan in Israel. His primary publications have focused on Israel's politics and foreign and security policy. Additionally, he has co-authored articles on interdisciplinary studies, including social innovation, with researchers from diverse research fields. His articles include “European Integration and Middle East Peace Process: The EU’s ‘Differentiation Strategy’ and Israel’s Response (in Japanese),” in Masataka Nakauchi and Shingo Tanaka (eds.), Gaiko Anzenhosho Seisaku Kara Yomitoku Oshu Togo [European Integration and Foreign and Security Policy] (67-87), Osaka University Press, 2023; “The conflict: Revisiting the Asymmetric Relationship between Israel and Palestine (in Japanese),” in Shingo Hamanaka (ed.), Israel and Palestine (183-202), Kyoto: Minerva Publishing, 2020; “Reformulation of Israel’s National Security Doctrine and Its Development: Examining the ‘Meridor Committee Report’ and the ‘IDF Strategy’ (in Japanese),” Kokusai Anzenhosho [Journal of International Security], 48(1), June 2020, 27-42.