Did God want to destroy the Israelites?

Jehovah God didn't want to destroy them, but in line with His justice He did what He promised He would do if they disobeyed once they entered the covenant with Him. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28) However, because He made the original deal with Abraham to make him a nation of people (Genesis 12:1-2), that could only be done if there were Israelites around to begin with, so He would always keep a remnant of them alive. (Isaiah 10:21)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)