Knesset Bid: Jerusalem Diplomat Runs on 21st Slot

Esti Ayalon Kovo is running for the 21st position on the B'Yachad list, a party led by Naftali Bennett, ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. The former diplomat argues that economic and social fractures first visible in Jerusalem are now spreading across the country.

Born in Ethiopia and later immigrated to Israel, Ayalon Kovo previously served as head of Israel’s Economic Mission in China. She now resides in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, a move she attributed to her children’s school placement. She described the city as a special place where life is never boring.

In a recent interview, she stated her primary motivation for entering politics is her children’s future. She said the country requires immediate repair, effective governance, and thorough plans for basic challenges. She identified Naftali Bennett as the only leader capable of delivering these results.

Ayalon Kovo named two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility, which she linked to specific failures including October 7 and the Flydubai hijacking. The second issue is preserving Israel’s status as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

She argued that a haredi state-within-a-state has emerged regarding military enlistment, education, and the workforce. Ayalon Kovo said this structure must be broken up. She warned that if it remains intact, the troubling economic, educational, and social trends observed in Jerusalem will expand throughout the nation.

Addressing immigrants, or olim, she urged them to take an active part in shaping Israeli public life rather than watching it unfold. She described running in elections as a good starting point for those wishing to influence the country’s direction. She added that B'Yachad welcomes anyone seeking change and repair after the difficult past few years.