Final answer:
The establishment and expansion of Israel can be characterized by violent conquest. Israel defended its declared borders against Arab states and local populations, resulting in Palestinian displacement. Historical context shows that both peaceful and violent means were used to acquire territory by ancient city-states and empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The way Israel was to fill their land, subdue it and take dominion over it can be characterized as violent conquest. After the British mandate period, the creation of Israel in 1948 led to a series of conflicts with neighboring Arab states and the local Arab population. The United Nations partition plan, rejected by Arab nations, resulted in war and the eventual exodus of Palestinian Arabs as Israel declared independence and defended its territory. The Israeli policy included expanding the Israeli area of settlement, often referred to as creating "facts on the ground", indicating a method that was far from peaceful coexistence.
Historically, methods to acquire territory often varied, but peaceful means like tribute, intermarriage, and peace agreements were sometimes used by empires, as were violent ones like conquest. This is demonstrated in the peaceful agreements made by Islamic states with conquered populations, who were allowed to continue their religious practices as long as they paid taxes. Israel's experience involved violent conflicts and wars, but also tactics such as buying land prior to statehood and establishing Jewish settlements.
The growth of Israel at the expense of Palestinian territories has created ongoing debates regarding the legitimacy of settlements and the viability of a two-state solution that would recognize both Israeli and Palestinian national aspirations.