Yuli Edelstein
Yuli EdelsteinYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Likud MKs were issuing strong defenses Sunday for their Chairman, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in the wake of the publication of a so-called "concessions document."

The document from August 2013, published Friday in a Yedioth Aharonoth report, shows surprising land concessions offered in secret peace talks between Netanyahu's representative and a Palestinian Authority (PA) representative. 

Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett was quick to jump on Netanyahu over the report, saying "the masquerade is over. The next Disengagement is already here, and again is led by the Likud and Tzipi Livni."

Attacking Bennett in return Sunday was Interior Minister Gilad Erdan. 

"I'm very sorry that Naftali Bennett immediately jumped on the bandwagon in an effort to get more votes," Erdan charged during an interview with Kalman Liebskind on Israel Radio.

Stinging Bennett even more, Erdan noted that while he was busy organizing protests against the disengagement from Gush Katif, Bennett was nowhere to be seen. 

"A month after he brought Eli Ohana as a supporter of the disengagement to the top of his list, it's not his month to preach to us about these things and who will protect or not protect us," Erdan. 

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein took a different angle, arguing Sunday that there was no truth to the document and that it was unhelpful to let "tendentious publications" divide the Right. 

Referring to questions he had received from constituents about Netanyahu's willingness to make concessions, Edelstein responded, "Look me in the eye. You know me. I've been a man of the settlements since I made aliyah until today, and my fight for [Judea and Samaria] is uncompromising."

"Right now we must join hands in front of the Left and its dangers. Do not let tendentious publications weaken us or divide us," he stressed. 

"It never happened," Edelstein said, implicitly invalidating Bennett. "Dennis Ross [a veteran American negotiator] also made it clear that there was no willingness to make concessions. Do not but the horrible attempts to fool you, even if they come from our camp."

Erdan also denied the document's authenticity, finding fault instead with the source of the report - Yedioth Ahronoth, which is known for its leftist leanings. 

"For years, they have been running a campaign against the prime minister, blaming him for the lack of negotiations, that he is too right-wing, and then suddenly overnight, a week before elections, everything is turned upside down." 

"I think we have to understand where these things come from," Erdan added. 

Edelstein, meanwhile, stressed that as Knesset Speaker, he would have had knowledge of any agreement, and if such concessions had been place, he "would not be lending a hand to them."

"Only a strong Likud will be the anchor for a national government, a firm backbone of national strength against the hateful coalition of 'Anyone But Bibi.' This is the order of the hour," Edelstein concluded.