B'Yachad candidate targets national economic rift

Israelis are facing a widening gap between economic elites and ordinary citizens, a trend that Esti Ayalon Kovo says is moving from the capital to the rest of the country. As she campaigns for the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list, she warns that the specific dynamics seen in Jerusalem are becoming a national pattern.

Ayalon Kovo, who was born in Ethiopia and later served as head of Israel's Economic Mission in China, attributes her move to Jerusalem to her children's school placement. The family settled in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood. She described the city as special and said she could not imagine living anywhere else.

Her diplomatic career began with a desire to represent Israel globally, which evolved into an appreciation for the field's complexity. She now cites her children's future as her primary motivation for entering the race. She stated that the country requires immediate repair, effective governance, and thorough plans for basic challenges, and she believes Naftali Bennett is the only leader who can deliver this.

She identified two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. First, she cited a lack of responsible leadership, pointing to failures such as the October 7 attack and the Flydubai hijacking. Second, she emphasized the need to preserve Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

To maintain that identity, Ayalon Kovo argued that the haredi state-within-a-state must be dismantled. She pointed to entrenched structures in military enlistment, education, and the workforce. Without these changes, she fears the economic and social trends observed in Jerusalem will spread nationwide, further isolating other residents.

She also addressed the role of new immigrants in Israeli politics. She urged olim not to remain passive observers of the country's story. "This is your country. Your home," she said. She suggested that participating in elections is a practical first step for those who wish to shape public life.

B'Yachad has opened its platform to anyone seeking change and repair after what Ayalon Kovo described as a difficult period. The party, led by Bennett, is preparing for the 2026 Knesset elections.