Diplomat seeks 21st slot to stop economic split

Esti Ayalon Kovo has placed her name on the 21st spot of the B'Yachad list, aiming to secure a Knesset seat in the upcoming 2026 elections. The B'Yachad list is led by Naftali Bennett. Ayalon Kovo argues that the economic and social divisions currently visible in Jerusalem are beginning to appear across the country.

The candidate was born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel. She previously served as the head of Israel's Economic Mission in China. Her family moved to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem because her children were accepted to a local school. Ayalon Kovo described the city as special and stated that she could not imagine living anywhere else.

She cites her children's future as the primary motivation for her entry into politics. Ayalon Kovo stated that she is in the race for her children and argued that the country requires immediate repair and effective governance. She believes Bennett is the only figure capable of delivering these changes.

The former diplomat identified two defining issues for the campaign. The first is a lack of responsible leadership, which she linked to recent failures including the events of October 7 and the Flydubai hijacking. The second issue is preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

To address the second point, Ayalon Kovo argued that the Haredi community has created a state-within-a-state regarding military enlistment, education, and workforce participation. She said this structure must be broken up. If it is not, she warned, the troubling economic and social trends seen in Jerusalem will spread nationwide.

Ayalon Kovo also addressed immigrants, known as olim, who wish to influence public life. She urged them to take an active part in shaping the country rather than watching it unfold from the sidelines. She described running for office as a good starting point for engagement.

B'Yachad has stated it will welcome anyone seeking change after what Ayalon Kovo described as a difficult past few years. The candidate's campaign centers on dismantling economic enclaves and establishing thorough plans for the country's basic challenges.