Knesset candidate says Jerusalem's economic rift is becoming a national pattern

Israel's capital has long served as a laboratory for the country's social tensions. Ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections, a new candidate argues that the economic and social divides emerging in Jerusalem are now visible across the entire nation.

Esti Ayalon Kovo, an Ethiopian-born former head of Israel's Economic Mission in China, is running on the 21st slot of the B'Yachad list. The party is led by Naftali Bennett. Ayalon Kovo, who resides in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem, says she watched the city struggle as the interests of the Haredi community clashed with those of other residents.

She claims these dynamics are no longer isolated to the capital. Ayalon Kovo describes a state-within-a-state that has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce. She argues that if this structure is not dismantled, the economic, educational, and social trends currently seen in Jerusalem will spread nationwide.

The candidate identifies two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility, which she links to recent failures including the October 7 attacks and the Flydubai hijacking. The second is the need to preserve Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

Ayalon Kovo says her motivation for entering the race is personal. "More than anything, I'm in this for my children," she said. She believes the country requires immediate repair and effective governance to address its basic challenges. She stated that only Bennett can deliver these results.

She also addressed immigrants, or olim, who consider running for office. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she told them. "This is your country. Your home." She advised that participating in elections is a practical first step for those who want to influence public life.

Ayalon Kovo noted that her family moved to Jerusalem after her children were accepted to a local school. She described the city as special and never boring. B'Yachad is welcoming candidates who seek change and repair following what she described as a difficult past few years.