Knesset Bid: Ayalon Kovo Targets 21st Slot to Address Economic Fractures

Esti Ayalon Kovo is running for the 21st position on the B'Yachad list ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. The list is led by Naftali Bennett. Kovo, a Jerusalem resident who previously served as head of Israel's Economic Mission in China, says she is entering the race to address growing economic and social divides.

Kovo argues that the friction between the powerful haredi community and other residents in Jerusalem is now a national trend. She states that similar dynamics are appearing across Israel. She believes the country needs immediate repair, effective governance, and thorough plans to handle basic challenges. She identifies only Bennett as the leader who can deliver those changes.

Born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel, Kovo says her move to the capital was driven by her children's schooling. The family settled in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood. "I couldn't imagine being anywhere else," she said of Jerusalem, noting that the city is never boring. Her interest in diplomacy began early, fueled by a desire to represent Israel globally and an attraction to the field's complexity.

Kovo cites her children's future as her primary motivation. "More than anything, I'm in this for my children," she explained. She views the current political climate as a time for serious action rather than observation. She urges olim who want to influence Israeli public life to take an active part in shaping the country's story. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she said, adding, "This is your country. Your home."

She names two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility, which she links to specific failures, including October 7 and the flydubai hijacking. The second is preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

On that second point, Kovo says the haredi state-within-a-state that has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce must be dismantled. She warns that if this structure is not broken up, the troubling economic, educational, and social trends seen in Jerusalem will spread throughout the rest of the country. She describes getting involved in elections as a good starting point for immigrants seeking to make an impact.

Kovo said B'Yachad would welcome anyone who wants change and repair after what she described as a difficult past few years. The interview was conducted in Jerusalem before the elections. She remains based in the capital, where she continues to observe the economic and social shifts that prompted her candidacy.