Diplomat Ayalon Kovo Targets 21st Slot to Challenge National Economic Divide

Esti Ayalon Kovo is running for the 21st position on the B'Yachad Knesset list ahead of the 2026 elections. The candidate, who previously led Israel’s Economic Mission in China, argues that the specific economic and social tensions found in Jerusalem are now spreading across the country. She contends that the current political landscape requires immediate structural repair to prevent further division.

Born in Ethiopia and now living in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, Ayalon Kovo says her move to the city was driven by her children’s school placement. She describes the area as special and states she could not imagine living anywhere else. Her diplomatic career began with a desire to represent Israel globally, a path she pursued after being drawn to the complexity of international affairs.

Ayalon Kovo identifies two primary issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of responsible leadership, which she links to recent failures including the events of October 7 and the Flydubai hijacking. The second is the need to preserve Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state. She believes Naftali Bennett, who leads the B'Yachad list, is the only figure capable of delivering the necessary governance.

The candidate specifically targets the growing influence of the Haredi sector. She describes a state-within-a-state dynamic emerging around military enlistment, education, and workforce participation. Ayalon Kovo warns that if this structure is not dismantled, the economic and educational trends observed in Jerusalem will become the national norm. She views this split as a direct threat to the country's social fabric.

Speaking to new immigrants, Ayalon Kovo urged them to take an active role in Israeli public life. She told olim that they did not come to the country to watch its story unfold from the sidelines. "This is your country. Your home," she said. She suggested that participating in elections is a practical first step for those who wish to shape the nation's direction.

The B'Yachad list is currently seeking to recruit individuals who want to enact change after what Ayalon Kovo described as difficult recent years. She stated the party is open to anyone willing to engage in the repair process. Her campaign message focuses on combining local experience from Jerusalem with national diplomatic expertise to address what she calls a systemic economic fracture.