(JTA) — Last month the mayor of Portland, Maine, shocked Jewish communities in his backyard and beyond when he expressed full-throated support for his city council’s successful resolution to divest from companies linked to Israel . Now, Mayor Mark Dion is taking it all back.

Portland’s mayor apologized for last month’s divestment vote, saying he let down the city’s Jewish community by voting to pass a largely symbolic resolution divesting city funds from companies doing business with Israel because of the war in Gaza.

He kicks off Monday night's City Council meeting with a statement apologizing for his vote last month, which he called 'a betrayal' of the city's Jewish community.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion says he regrets voting in favor of divesting from companies doing business in Israel.