Nathan Thrall reflects on power of storytelling, struggle for Palestinian rights

Doha, Qatar: In a world where the power of words can either unite or divide, Nathan Thrall, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Day in the Life of...

Doha, Qatar: In a world where the power of words can either unite or divide, Nathan Thrall, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of ‘A Day in the Life of Abed Salama’, is determined to ensure that the story of Palestine is told with clarity and emotional resonance.

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) hosted Thrall on Tuesday for a thought-provoking conversation with Dean Safwan Masri on how Thrall’s work transcended polarity to gain widespread acclaim.

Thrall, an American writer living in Jerusalem, impressed the audience by sharing insights about his Pulitzer-winning book, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama. The book, which looks at the impact of a tragic school bus accident in Palestine, is considered a masterpiece of nonfiction. Prior to the event, Thrall engaged in a conversation with journalists and discussed about the   motivations and challenges behind his work and the ongoing struggle for justice in Palestine.

Thrall’s engagement with the Palestinian issue is not just academic; it is personal. “I’ve devoted my life to working on the Palestinian issue,” he explained, his words revealing the depth of his commitment. “I worked for 10 years at the International Crisis Group, speaking to diplomats, journalists, and think tanks. But I realised that when you’re talking to an elite audience, they’re only prepared to make very small incremental changes. What’s needed is a total shift in how the world understands the situation.”