So the idea that Jews were there first falls apart.
Absolutely. They were given that land as they were strictly following the Covenant. They were tasked to do God's work on earth and spread the message and lead humanity to righteousness.
Knowing the Jews, who were habitually penchant of breaking God's rules, just a short absence of Moses led them to Hinduism ie, worshipping a calf.
This and many more of Jewry insolence to God's covenant unvalidated the claim to the land.
That's why in Judaism, Jew were disallowed to have a homeland until the messiah comes. Jew acknowledge that the messiah has not arrived so why are they laying claim to the land, against their own doctrines?