Fact Check: Jews were in Israel first

Fact Check: "Jews were in Israel first"

What We Know

The claim that "Jews were in Israel first" is supported by a substantial historical foundation. The history of the Jewish people in the land of Israel dates back to at least the 2nd millennium BCE, with the emergence of the Israelites as a distinct group in the region known as ancient Canaan, which corresponds to modern-day Israel (History of the Jews and Judaism in the Land of Israel). The biblical narrative describes the Israelites' connection to the land, including the establishment of the United Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah (Judaism, Jewish history, and anti-Jewish prejudice: An overview).

Throughout history, despite various conquests and the eventual dispersion of Jews due to events such as the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE, there has been a continuous Jewish presence in the land (Jewish diaspora). This historical continuity is emphasized by sources that highlight the Jewish claim to the land based on a three-thousand-year-old history (Jewish Roots in the Land of Israel/Palestine - Hoover Institution).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Jews were the first inhabitants of Israel is robust, with multiple scholarly sources corroborating this historical narrative. The origins of the Jewish people are traced back to the ancient Middle East, specifically in the territory of modern Israel, where they formed a distinct identity and culture (Judaism, Jewish history, and anti-Jewish prejudice: An overview).

Moreover, the Jewish presence in the land has been continuous, with historical records indicating that Jews remained in the region even after significant population displacements, such as during the Roman Empire's rule (The Historical Presence of Jews in the Land of Israel - BJE). The claim is further supported by the notion that the land of Israel has always been central to Jewish identity and religious practice, reinforcing the argument that Jews have a legitimate historical claim to the land (5 Facts About the Jewish People's Ancestral Connection to the Land of Israel - AJC).

While some sources may present alternative narratives regarding the historical claims to the land, the predominant scholarly consensus acknowledges the ancient and continuous connection of Jews to Israel, which strengthens the validity of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Jews were in Israel first" is substantiated by a wealth of historical evidence indicating that the Jewish people have had a presence in the land of Israel for thousands of years, beginning with the ancient Israelites. This historical continuity, despite periods of displacement, supports the assertion that Jews were indeed the first inhabitants of the region.

Sources

1. History of the Jews and Judaism in the Land of Israel
2. Judaism, Jewish history, and anti-Jewish prejudice: An overview
3. Jewish diaspora
4. Jewish Roots in the Land of Israel/Palestine - Hoover Institution
5. The Historical Presence of Jews in the Land of Israel - BJE
6. 5 Facts About the Jewish People's Ancestral Connection to the Land of Israel - AJC