Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein spoke during a Knesset plenary debate on applying sovereignty to the West Bank, saying: "Especially in these days, there is no more appropriate, clear and just Zionist response than applying sovereignty to parts of our historical homeland in Judea and Samaria." He recalled the evacuation of Gush Katif and said: "Then, as now, there were those who tried to remove me from my position and promised me cities and hills in exchange for my truth. They claimed I was bringing down a government, betraying Likud values and hurting the movement's leader. The truth is clear - I remained loyal to my values and principles for which I fought."