Connie Chan, a Democratic candidate endorsed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has called for a "full arms embargo on the Israeli government." Chan, who is running to succeed Pelosi in California's 11th congressional district, made the statement during a televised debate on Thursday night.

Chan, currently a San Francisco supervisor, is competing against California state Senator Scott Wiener for the seat. Pelosi, an 86-year-old Democrat, is not seeking re-election in the upcoming November midterm elections. The race is taking place as divisions within Congress over U.S. support for Israel have become more pronounced.

During the debate, Chan stated that "on day one in Congress" she would vote to "end a genocide in Gaza and to end an apartheid state." She also indicated that she would not support funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system, emphasizing the need to prioritize humanitarian aid.

The implications of Chan's stance are significant, given her endorsement by a prominent figure like Nancy Pelosi, who historically maintained strong support for Israel. Chan's position signals a potential shift in policy for some Democrats regarding U.S. aid and relations with Israel.

Scott Wiener, Chan's opponent in the race, has also expressed strong criticism of Israel's actions. He described Israel's assault on Gaza as a genocide and stated his opposition to funding the Israeli military, particularly the provision of bombs or offensive weapons. Wiener further elaborated, calling the Israeli government's actions "an absolute abomination" concerning the impact on Gaza and the empowerment of settler violence in the West Bank.

This race occurs within a broader context of increasing scrutiny on U.S.-Israel policy. Recently, nearly all Senate Democrats supported an unsuccessful measure requiring a State Department report on Israel's human rights practices. Additionally, several House members introduced the Stop the Settlements Act, proposing sanctions against those involved in expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Historically, Nancy Pelosi has been a staunch supporter of Israel, consistently condemning boycotts and sanctions against the country and voting in favor of military aid. Chan's platform, therefore, represents a notable departure from her predecessor's long-held positions.

Chan's call for an arms embargo and her framing of the situation in Gaza as a "genocide" and Israel as an "apartheid state" are strong statements that are likely to generate further debate as the midterm elections approach. The outcome of this race, and the positions taken by candidates like Chan, could influence future discussions on U.S. foreign policy towards Israel.