Days after reversing course to say Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza, state Sen. Scott Wiener said Thursday he is stepping down as co-chair of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, said in a statement he suggested stepping down last fall but was asked “to stay to provide continuity of leadership during a difficult time for the Jewish community.”

He said his congressional campaign to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is ramping up and that “my recent statements on Israel and Gaza have led to significant controversy in the Jewish community. The time to transition has arrived.”

His departure takes effect Feb. 15.

Earlier this month, Wiener declined to answer yes or no during a forum question asking if Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. He later said, “I’ve stopped short of calling it genocide, but I can’t anymore,” adding, “To me, the Israeli government has tried to destroy Gaza and to push Palestinians out, and that qualifies as genocide.”

Wiener defended his five years as co-chair, citing support for Holocaust survivors, Jewish students, and the community after Oct. 7.

Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle.