What Britain was trying to do, through our talks with the Arabs during and after WW1, and through (and after) the Balfour declarations, was to create a place where Jews and Arabs could live peacefully together, each with the rights ensgrined in statehood. When both sides made it crystal clear they wouldn't accept this
together, partition was the only other option. This is where the UN plans became involved.
The 'potential' arms supplies mentioned were for the 'Arabs'. The Jewish forces had already been armed
by the British when we worked together in defeating the Arab revolt in the middle/late 1930's. The Jewish forces then themselves revolted when we Brits made it clear that the 'Palestinian's' had rights in the land too.
The 'guilt-ridden Allies' theme doesn't apply, simply because the
British concept of a Jewish 'Homeland' stemmed from the Balfour declaration following the first world war. There were no guilty allies then, just the majot powers trying to sortout the mess left with the destruction of the Turkish empire.
With all due respect MM, we Brits are the only ones who have consistantly striven for a fair and balanced solution, and not as many have suggested here... virtual genocide. Regardless of prevarication, the CIA report, plus the many others you can read in the CIA archives, clearly show that the US government, along with us Brits, knew a dominant and agressive Israeli, created by the use of force and inspite of UN plans, would cause decades of trouble.
If you still doubt my view, read up on Ben Gurions published statements, both during the era of the UN partition plan and then after the formation of Israel. He clearly states that Israels initial acceptance of the plan was a
first step, after which Israel would reoccupy the whole of Palestine by force of arms, as and when the opportunity occured. This latter declaration was the specific reason the Arabs refused to agree with Partition, in that the Israeli government couldn't be trust.
All the history and facts on this are there... you just have to have the inclination to look for them.
Regards
Gaz