B'Yachad Candidate Says National Economic Crisis Mirrors Jerusalem

Esti Ayalon Kovo says the economic and social fractures visible in Jerusalem are now appearing across Israel. The former head of Israel's Economic Mission in China is running in the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list for the 2026 Knesset elections. The party is led by Naftali Bennett.

Born in Ethiopia, Ayalon Kovo moved to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood after her children gained admission to a local school. She described the area as special and stated she could not imagine living anywhere else. Her diplomatic career began with a desire to represent Israel globally, a path she later pursued due to the field's complexity.

Ayalon Kovo argues that the country requires immediate repair and effective governance. She cites a lack of responsible leadership as a primary cause of recent failures, specifically naming the events of October 7 and the flydubai hijacking. She believes Bennett is the only leader capable of delivering the necessary thorough plans for basic national challenges.

The candidate identified preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state as the second defining issue of the campaign. She stated that the haredi state-within-a-state must be broken up. This enclave has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce. If left unchecked, she warns that the troubling trends observed in Jerusalem will spread nationwide.

In an interview, Ayalon Kovo urged immigrants to take an active role in shaping Israeli public life. She told new residents, 'You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold.' She added that this is their country and their home, and suggested that participating in elections is a good starting point.

B'Yachad welcomes anyone seeking change after what Ayalon Kovo described as a difficult few years. She entered the race primarily for her children's future. The party is currently preparing for the upcoming Knesset vote.

Ayalon Kovo says the nation needs serious repair now. She views the current political moment as a chance to fix the structural issues she saw in the capital. The campaign focuses on breaking the existing power dynamics.