B'Yachad Candidate Ayalon Kovo Cites Jerusalem Model for National Crisis Warning

Esti Ayalon Kovo, running in the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list led by Naftali Bennett, stated that Israel is beginning to mirror the specific economic and social difficulties currently affecting Jerusalem. Ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections, she identified these local tensions as a preview of nationwide challenges.

Ayalon Kovo, who was born in Ethiopia and later immigrated to Israel, previously served as the head of Israel's Economic Mission in China. She said she observed the capital facing strains where the interests of the powerful haredi community frequently clashed with those of other residents. She argued that these same dynamics are now visible throughout the country.

The candidate settled in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem because her children were accepted to a local school. She described the area as special and stated that she could not imagine living anywhere else. Her entry into politics was driven by a desire to ensure a stable future for her family.

"More than anything, I'm in this for my children," Ayalon Kovo said, arguing that the country requires immediate repair and effective governance. She believes Bennett is the only leader capable of delivering the necessary plans for the nation's basic challenges.

When asked about the campaign's defining issues, she pointed to a lack of responsible leadership that she linked to failures such as the events of October 7 and the flydubai hijacking. Her second priority is preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

Ayalon Kovo said the emerging haredi state-within-a-state regarding military enlistment, education, and the workforce must be broken up. She warned that if this structure remains intact, the troubling economic and educational trends seen in Jerusalem will spread across the entire country.

She also addressed new immigrants, urging them to take an active role in public life rather than observing from the sidelines. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she said. B'Yachad stated it welcomes anyone seeking change and repair after the difficult past few years.