Ayalon Kovo runs on B'Yachad list to address national economic split

Jerusalem has long faced economic and social divides, but local politicians now argue those gaps are spreading to the rest of Israel. Esti Ayalon Kovo, a resident of the Beit Hakerem neighborhood, is running in the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list for the 2026 Knesset elections. The party is led by Naftali Bennett.

Ayalon Kovo was born in Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel before serving as head of the country's Economic Mission in China. She moved to Jerusalem because her children were accepted to a local school. She described the capital as special and noted that it is never boring.

Her campaign centers on the need for effective governance and serious repair of basic state functions. She identified two defining issues for the coming election. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility. She pointed to recent events, including 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. Ayalon Kovo stated that a haredi state within a state has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce. She said this enclave must be broken up. If the status quo continues, she warned that the economic, educational, and social trends seen in Jerusalem will spread nationwide.

The candidate said she entered the race primarily for her children's future. She believes only Bennett can deliver the necessary repairs. She also offered advice to new immigrants who wish to influence public life. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she said. "This is your country. Your home."

B'Yachad has said it will welcome anyone seeking change after recent difficult years. The upcoming elections will determine the composition of the next Knesset.

Ayalon Kovo plans to campaign on her platform of national economic repair and stronger governance. The B'Yachad list will finalize its candidate roster ahead of the vote.