Qadri Abu Bakr

Qadri Abu Bakr (قدري أبو بكر; 10 January 1953 – 1 July 2023) was a Palestinian politician and member of the Fatah political party who served as minister of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs for the Palestinian Authority from 2018 until his death in 2023. He was appointed to this position in 2018, succeeding Issa Qaraqe. Prior to this, he held various positions throughout his career, including with the Palestinian Preventive Security Force from 1996 to 2008. Abu Bakr held a bachelor's degree in political science from Beirut Arab University and also held the military rank of major general. He died at the age of 70 in a traffic accident.

Early life and education
Abu Bakr was born on 10 January 1953, in Biddya. He held a bachelor's degree in political science from Beirut Arab University, which he obtained in 1991.

Abu Bakr spent 17 years in prisoner after he was arrested by Israeli forces for transferring weapons to the West Bank. He was then exiled to Iraq, but returned and assumed the role of chairman of prisoners in 2018.

Political career
Abu Bakr was a member of the Fatah political party and had held various positions throughout his career, including with the Palestinian Preventive Security Force from 1996 to 2008. In 2018, he became minister of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, replacing Isa Qaraqi, and also became a member of the Palestine National Council. He also held the military rank of major general. In this role, Abu Bakr oversaw the Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund, which provided monthly stipends to terrorists and their families.

Personal
Abu Bakr was diagnosed with COVID-19, and was affected from 13 February to 28 February 2021. He died in a traffic accident near Jamma’in on 1 July 2023, at the age of 70. Abu Bakr received a funeral procession that partly closed Route 5 to Israeli motorists, drawing the ire of local Jewish residents.