Likud Denies Report of Ra'am Deal on Media Bill and Negev Enforcement

N12 reported Monday night that Likud figures were negotiating with Ra'am to secure support, or an absence, for Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's broadcast bill in exchange for a full halt to home demolitions in the Negev. The report said Ra'am MK Waleed Alhwashla, the only Arab member on the special committee handling the bill, was at the center of the contacts. Likud denied the claim as a spin by Arab parties, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said any such non-enforcement arrangement would be illegal and vowed demolitions of unlawful construction would continue. Israel's coalition bargaining must preserve lawful governance and transparent Knesset procedure.