It seems to be possible to use Icefaces 1.8.2 with Netbeans 6.8 M2 (JSF 1.2) - but the component palette is not shown. Is it possible to activate it somehow?
Yes, it is possible: Create a new category in the in the "Palette" window on the right side; open the Tools menu "Palette"-> "HTML/JSP code clips". The dialog offers you the list of ICEFaces components: Drag and Drop the components one by one from the dialog list to the Palette window.