The Ottoman Empire was allied with the Central Powers who were the enemy of the Triple Entente to which the British belonged, hence, an enemy of the Ottoman Empire was necessarily a friend of the British. Arab nationalists wished to secede from the Ottoman Empire. So this fit perfectly into the plans of the British.
Lawrence of Arabia.
The Arab Revolt of 1916 was primarily driven by Arab nationalism and the desire for independence from Ottoman rule. Arab leaders, influenced by growing nationalist sentiments, sought to establish a unified Arab state and were motivated by grievances over Ottoman policies that marginalized Arab culture and governance. Additionally, the revolt gained momentum due to promises of support from the British, who aimed to weaken the Ottoman Empire during World War I, further encouraging Arab aspirations for self-determination.
Most Arab Nationalists in this period wanted a uniform Pan-Arab State across the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Arabia. They were disappointed by being given numerous smaller kingdoms.
The Arabs fought against the Ottoman Empire during World War I primarily due to a desire for independence and self-determination. The Ottomans, who were predominantly Turkish, had imposed centralized control over Arab territories, leading to discontent among Arab nationalists. Additionally, the British promised support for Arab independence in exchange for their revolt against the Ottomans, as outlined in the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence. This alliance fueled the Arab revolt, culminating in efforts to establish an independent Arab state.
Council for Arab-British Understanding was created in 1967.
Arab Nationalism rose to prominence with the weakening and defeat of the (non-Arab) Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century and declined after the defeat of the Arab armies in the Six Day War.
The British Mandate of Palestine was the only mandate with an Arab-Jewish controversy.
"Siding with" is a nebulous term. The British Government and Foreign Ministry have historically had a Pro-Israel policy. Like any sensible government, they have requested that both Israel and Arabs exercise caution and restraint in the current conflict, but the British government has historically given greater support to Israel than the Arab States. However, prior to the Arab-Israeli War of 1956, the British had a stronger Pro-Arab policy in the hopes of having increased access to Arab Oil.
During World War I, the British promised the Arabs independence and the establishment of a sovereign Arab state in exchange for their support against the Ottoman Empire. This commitment was communicated through the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence in 1915-1916. However, the promise was complicated by other agreements, such as the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which divided the Middle Eastern territories between Britain and France, leading to feelings of betrayal among Arab leaders after the war. Ultimately, the conflicting promises contributed to long-term tensions in the region.
§ According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the United Arab Emirates flag represent the following:§ White - peace and honesty§ Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour§ Green - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance§ Black - the defeat of enemies or determination
Following World War I, the British played a significant role in the conflicts in the Palestine Mandate by implementing conflicting promises made to both Jewish and Arab populations. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed support for a Jewish homeland, while the McMahon-Husayn Correspondence implied support for Arab independence. British policies and immigration quotas often favored Jewish settlement, exacerbating tensions with the Arab population, leading to uprisings and violence. Their inability to effectively manage these competing nationalist aspirations ultimately contributed to longstanding conflict in the region.