>>5
Anyone can express a political opinion, or what have you. If I came here to do that, I would be wasting my time by comparison. It would also increase the chance of the thread degenerating, what with everyone screaming their two cents. I'm kind of surprised it hasn't actually.
But you can ask me whatever, I'll answer as best I can.
1. Soldiers generally don't like Palestinians. Not too surprising, since Palestinians generally don't like soldiers, and it spirals. Racial overtones pervade much hate speech between the two groups of Israelis and Arabs. Ethnocentrism is the order of the day for most of the region, and Israel is not really an exception, though Western influence helps it overcome the most debilitating aspects, and Israel remains significantly more tolerant of Arabs than any other country in the region remains of Jews (the best example of this would be Tel Aviv). Officers have some idea of PR, thank god, and don't let it get too far out of hand. But yeah, everyone hates everyone.
2. There are different sorts of checkpoints. Some check pedestrians as well as vehicles, and others check only vehicles. Some are set up temporarily and in random locations, either because of info that a weapons cache or the like is moving through, or just to keep would-be-terrorists on their toes. Smaller checkpoints are usually closed at night, and the larger ones stay open.
Usually, those passing through are only questioned very briefly, like an ID check, or asking of the intended destination. At the smaller checkpoints, bored soldiers will sometimes play games with those questioned, which serves to make passing through much more annoying. Although I wouldn't expect too much more from 19 year olds forced to pull monotonous 16 hour shifts in desert heat for 3(+) years nonstop, the little injustices the Palestinians suffer at the checkpoints is understood to be a problem. At the larger checkpoints, a Palestinian liaison and military police units are usually present, which has been found to dramatically cut down on such cases occurring.
Needless to say, the checkpoints do little to endear the Palestinians to the Israelis. They constrict economic growth, as well as humiliating in some small way those passing through. Feeling humiliated at checkpoints consistently ranks among the things which attracts Palestinian ire. They are, however, excellent for catching terrorists, who attempt murders at civilian targets at least once a week. In addition, they serve as a a deterrent for would-be-terrorists, as numerous attempts to murder civilians are called off halfway in fear of being caught in checkpoints. Since publication of the info would jeopardize the work of the Intelligence sector, these go mostly unreported.
3. Raids happen when some branch of the security agencies in the civilian or military sectors determine that a person warrants arrest, whether it be for past crimes or for planning one. Crimes might be gun or ammunition smuggling (especially for terrorist organizations), terrorist attacks, and things of that nature. Some unit(s) will be chosen for the arrest, they get notification, and they spend days previous to the planned arrest practicing for it. By the night of the arrest, every soldier will know the number of trees near the house, what he will be looking at when he arrives, etc. Deaths on either side rarely occur, though sometimes those convicted will possess a pistol or AK and try to shoot it out. The arrests take place at night to ensure surprise and minimize the chance of civilians getting involved, either intentionally (throwing rocks or molotov cocktails) or unintentionally (people don't stroll around at 2:00AM). Upon arrest, the arrested will be transferred to Shabak (שב״כ), which I suppose is analogous to the FBI.
Raids are called (somewhat) less commonly these days, since the PA internal security apparatus has become more effective (and willing) to deal with terrorists. However, the PA lacks both the manpower and funding to effectively police as the Israeli military. In addition, the PA is riddled with corruption, and informers will often tip off intended target of what is being planned. Due to this, the IDF continues to raid Palestinian towns on occasion.
Raids are very tense situations for soldiers, and can be scary for Palestinians. Israel claims that it keeps terrorists from killing people, the PA claims it damages the integrity of their independence.
4. Many people, both western and otherwise, fail to understand how fragmented Israeli society actually is. I don't know what "people" think about anything, as there is The secular, The Ashkenazi, The Sepharadim, The Dati Leumi, The Haredim, The Masoratim, the russians... it never ends. If you've ever seen The Life of Brian, it's a bit like that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_qHP7VaZE
Put simply, those who took advantage of the Tal Law are unhappy about it, and those who didn't take advantage of it are happy. Kadima left Likud over it. Everyone drawing the lines in the sand, and so forth.