Yes they were. Historically, the Jew's resided there since the beginning of history. I believe it formed from Mesopotamia. They broke away from the Roman Empire several times to establish the state of Israel but were defeated.

History states the Jew's first appeared in the area around 3,000+ years ago. Not to mention Muslims, for the most part, are nothing more than Jews who converted to the Islam a long time ago.

They have gained and lost control of the region many times over the course of history.