Ayalon Kovo warns national economy mirrors Jerusalem's struggles

Esti Ayalon Kovo argues that the economic and social friction observed in Jerusalem is now spreading to the rest of Israel. The former diplomat, who runs in the 21st slot on the B'Yachad list, contends that the capital’s specific challenges have become a national pattern. She leads with the claim that the country requires immediate repair and effective governance to address these basic challenges.

Ayalon Kovo, who was born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel, previously served as head of Israel's Economic Mission in China. She cites her time in the capital as the primary driver for her political entry. The family moved to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood after 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 path into politics began with a desire to represent Israel internationally. She later found the complexity of diplomacy appealing. Now, she frames her candidacy around her children's future. She stated that she is in the race for them, believing the nation needs serious plans to fix its current state. She identified Naftali Bennett as the only leader capable of delivering that repair.

The candidate names two defining issues for the 2026 campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that accepts responsibility. She links this failure to recent events, specifically the October 7 attacks and the flydubai hijacking. The second issue is preserving Israel's identity as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

Ayalon Kovo focuses on the haredi community's influence as a barrier to national cohesion. She describes a state-within-a-state structure that has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce. She argues this structure must be broken up. If it remains intact, she predicts that the troubling trends seen in Jerusalem will spread throughout the country.

She also addressed immigrants, or olim, who wish to impact public life. She urged them to take an active part in shaping the country rather than watching its story unfold. She called getting involved in elections a good starting point for this engagement. She emphasized that this is their home and their country.

Ayalon Kovo said B'Yachad would welcome anyone seeking change after what she described as a difficult past few years. The list is led by Naftali Bennett. The candidate’s platform centers on the idea that the problems facing Jerusalem are not isolated but are indicative of a wider national issue.

The interview was conducted in Jerusalem before the upcoming elections. Ayalon Kovo’s background includes a diplomatic career and residence in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood. She remains focused on the intersection of family life and national governance. Her campaign message targets both the leadership vacuum and the specific structural challenges of the haredi community.

She believes that effective governance requires thorough plans for the country's basic challenges. The candidate positions herself as a bridge between diplomatic experience and local political action. Her warning about Jerusalem’s path serves as the central metaphor for her national campaign.