Prior to its independence there were no Israelis, just Jewish residents in Palestine. As for the partition, this should have been subject to negotiations between the Jewish and Arab population. In the end it was probably the only solution possible. But can you tell me, without the agreement of the Arab majority, by what right did a minority and immigrant Jewish population have to demand a partition?
Btw, this should not be seen as a rejection of the right of Israel today. After 66 years Israel is a fact and will not be going away any more than the Arab population. This is a fact that the Palestinians will have to accept.
Did you miss the bit about Jews in Jerusalem being slaughtered during the Crusades too? So there was a Jewish presence there back in the eleventh century.
A minority population that existed in many cities throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.
If the Arabs wanted a freer, wealthier & healthier life, they demand Israel take over all the surrounding countries...
Jews are descendants of Israel (Jacob), so yes, there were Israelis there.
For a supposed “minority population” in the eleventh century, the slaughter of Jerusalem’s Jews by the Crusaders is certainly extremely well-known. Those that survived were also large enough in number for the Crusaders to put them to work cleansing the Temple Mount of the blood and gore, and a sizable number being taken captive to Italy were also written about.