Ethiopian-born diplomat bids for Knesset to break up Haredi enclaves

Esti Ayalon Kovo contends that the economic and social fractures visible in Jerusalem are now spreading across Israel. The former diplomat is running for the 21st position on the B'Yachad list, a party led by Naftali Bennett, ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. She argues that the country requires immediate structural repair to prevent local tensions from becoming a national crisis.

Ayalon Kovo was born in Ethiopia before immigrating to Israel. She previously served as the head of Israel's Economic Mission in China. Her family moved to the Beit Hakerem neighborhood in Jerusalem after her children were accepted to a local school. She described the neighborhood as special and stated that she could not imagine living anywhere else.

Her interest in diplomacy began in childhood, driven by a desire to represent Israel abroad. She later cited the complexity of the field as a factor in her career choice. Now, she says her motivation for entering politics is the future of her children. She argued that Israel needs effective governance and thorough plans for its basic challenges, and she believes Bennett is the only candidate capable of delivering that.

Ayalon Kovo identified two defining issues for the upcoming campaign. The first is a lack of leadership that takes responsibility, which she linked to recent failures such as the events of October 7 and the flydubai hijacking. The second issue is preserving Israel as a liberal, Zionist, Jewish, and democratic state.

She specifically targeted the Haredi community's influence, describing a state-within-a-state that has formed around military enlistment, education, and the workforce. She said this structure must be broken up to stop troubling economic and educational trends from spreading from Jerusalem to the rest of the country. If these enclaves are not dismantled, she fears the capital's specific problems will become the norm nationwide.

Ayalon Kovo also addressed immigrants, known as olim, who wish to influence public life. She urged them to take an active part in shaping the country's future rather than watching it unfold. "This is your country. Your home," she said. She noted that participating in elections is a good starting point for civic engagement.

The B'Yachad list will welcome anyone seeking change and repair after a difficult period, according to Ayalon Kovo. The interview took place in Jerusalem before the election date.