Entertainment venue “Putin” in West Jerusalem renamed

JERUSALEM – FEBRUARY 26: Russian-born Israeli man Leonid Teterin, owner of the famous entertainment venue “Putin” in West Jerusalem, removed his pub’s nameplate to protest Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Located on Jaffa Street, the most popular spot in West Jerusalem, right across from the City Mansion, Putin is one of the city’s best-known entertainment venues, as well as a frequent destination for Russian Jews in Israel.

While only a small word “Pub” n remained on the door, which the residents of the region have been accustomed to seeing for years, the dusty traces left behind from the removed word “Putin” began to disappear within hours with the pouring rain in windy weather.

Teterin, a Russian-born Jewish Israeli citizen, told Anadolu Agency the story of the Putin sign.

Noting that when they first opened the pub they wanted it to evoke Russia and decided to use the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, Teterin said the pub “Putin” which he has been running for eight years with two Russian partners, has now lost its humorous atmosphere and has a negative political meaning after Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

Teterin said they removed the nameplate “because we don’t like war. We really want peace in the World. Now, everybody thinks Putin is a little dictator. He has gone and attacked Ukraine,” stressing they do not take anyone’s side.

“We, everybody speaking Russian, everybody coming from Ukraine, Belarus or Russia, Jews from ex-Soviet Union people, we are brothers.

“I don’t want war. Stop the war.” he said.

The population of the Russian Jewish community, formed by immigrants from Russia and former Soviet countries and their descendants in Israel, exceeds 1 million. Russian Jews have important influences on Israel’s political, social, economic, and cultural life.