Diplomat Targets 21st Slot on Bennett List

Esti Ayalon Kovo, a Jerusalem resident with a background in diplomacy, is running in the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list for the 2026 Knesset elections. The list is led by Naftali Bennett. Ayalon Kovo contends that the economic and social fractures currently visible in Jerusalem are beginning to appear across the rest of Israel.

Born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel, Ayalon Kovo previously served as the head of the country's Economic Mission in China. She said she moved to Jerusalem for family reasons, specifically after her children were accepted to a local school. The family settled in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood. "I couldn't imagine being anywhere else," she said of the city, describing it as a place that is never boring. Her interest in diplomacy began early in life, driven by a desire to represent Israel internationally and an attraction to the complexity of the field.

Ayalon Kovo stated that her primary motivation for entering the race is her children's future. "More than anything, I'm in this for my children," she explained. She argued that Israel requires immediate repair, effective governance, and thorough plans to address basic challenges. She believes only Bennett can deliver that stability.

The candidate identified two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility, which she said led to 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 achieve this, she said the "haredi state-within-a-state" that has formed around military enlistment, education, and workforce participation must be dismantled. She fears that if this structure remains, the troubling trends seen in Jerusalem will spread nationwide.

Ayalon Kovo also addressed new immigrants, or olim, who wish to influence public life. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she said, urging them to take an active part in shaping the country. She described involvement in elections as a good starting point for such participation. She added that B'Yachad would welcome anyone seeking change and repair after what she described as a difficult past few years. The interview took place in Jerusalem ahead of the elections.