Ayalon Kovo Targets Knesset Seat to Dismantle Economic Enclaves

Esti Ayalon Kovo is running for the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. She argues that the economic and social fractures visible in Jerusalem are spreading across the country. Ayalon Kovo, who served as head of Israel's Economic Mission in China, says the current political structure needs urgent repair.

She describes a growing divide where the interests of the powerful haredi community clash with those of other residents. In her view, this dynamic is no longer limited to the capital. She warns that if these trends continue, they will become the national standard for education, workforce participation, and military service.

Ayalon Kovo moved to Jerusalem when her children were accepted to a local school. The family settled in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood. She called the city special and said she could not imagine living anywhere else. Her diplomatic career began with a simple wish to represent Israel abroad, a role that later attracted her with its complexity.

Her primary motivation for entering the race is her children's future. She stated that the country needs immediate and serious repair, effective governance, and thorough plans for its basic challenges. She identified two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility. She cited October 7 and the flydubai hijacking as examples of this failure. The second issue is preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

To achieve that goal, Ayalon Kovo said the haredi state-within-a-state must be broken up. She focused specifically on the structures surrounding military enlistment and the workforce. She believes only Naftali Bennett, who leads the B'Yachad list, can deliver the necessary governance. Her party welcomes anyone seeking change after what she described as difficult recent years.

The candidate also addressed olim who hope to influence public life. She urged them to take an active part in shaping the country rather than watching from the sidelines. She described getting involved in elections as a good starting point. Ayalon Kovo, who was born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel, said the country is their home.

She emphasized that the current economic split mirrors the social challenges she observed in Jerusalem. Her platform centers on reversing these trends before they become permanent. The interview took place in Jerusalem before the elections.