Diplomacy to Politics: Candidate Warns on National Trajectory
A former economic mission head is running for office, arguing that social and economic fractures observed in Jerusalem are spreading to the wider country.
By Tyler Khalil ·
A Jerusalem resident with a background in international economic diplomacy says the strain visible in the capital is spreading nationwide.
Esti Ayalon Kovo is seeking a Knesset seat for the 2026 elections, running 21st on the B'Yachad list under party leader Naftali Bennett. Born in Ethiopia before moving to Israel, she previously headed Israel's Economic Mission in China. She points to specific friction in Jerusalem between the powerful haredi community and other residents as evidence that similar clashes are becoming common across the country.
Her family life brought her to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood after her children were admitted to a local school, a place she described as special. She said her fascination with diplomacy started long ago, rooted in a desire to represent the country internationally. Entering politics now, she stated, is driven by the future of her own children. "More than anything, I'm in this for my children," she said, arguing that the nation requires immediate, serious fixes and effective governance to address basic challenges.
She believes only Bennett can deliver those fixes. When asked what issues are defining this campaign, she identified two core problems: a shortage of leadership that accepts accountability, which she links to failures such as October 7 and the flydubai hijacking, and the preservation of the state's character as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish and democratic entity. She argued that a haredi state-within-a-state structure, centered on military enlistment, education and employment, must be dismantled.
Without dismantling that structure, she fears that the economic, educational and social troubles she has witnessed in Jerusalem will spread. She also offered guidance to immigrants wishing to influence public life or run for office. "You didn't come here to sit back and watch Israel's story unfold," she said, urging them to participate in shaping the country. "This is your country. Your home." She suggested engaging in elections as a good first step.
Her party, B'Yachad, is open to anyone seeking change and repair after a difficult stretch of years. This interview took place in Jerusalem in October, prior to the upcoming elections.
