A Fresno rabbi will not be charged for an alleged fight with Palestinian protesters over a flag at a freeway overpass.

Fresno Police arrested Amnon Shor, leader of the Bet Shalom Messianic Congregation, alleging he got into a fight Jan. 5 at Shaw Avenue and the Highway 41 overpass.

“Upon careful review of all the evidence submitted to our office, we declined to file charges on this matter based on there being insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” a Fresno County District Attorney’s office spokesperson said Friday.

Shor Allegedly Ripped Flag, Got into Fight

Shor, 70, allegedly stopped his car while driving by and ripped down a Palestinian flag attached to the fence. Police said he allegedly struck a female protester trying to stop him.

The fight continued with two male protesters over a struggle over the flag, police said. Shor later drove away and reported the incident to police.

Police arrested Shor and charged him with a felony hate crime (PC 422.6), felony robbery by force (PC 664/211), and misdemeanor vandalism (PC 594(a)(2)).

Pro-Palestinian protesters have frequently spoken at Fresno City Council meetings, demanding among other things a city resolution calling for a cease fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The group has also hung banners and the flag at freeway overpasses in recent weeks. Caltrans says such action is against the law, but it is up to CHP to enforce.

Shor ran for state Senate in 2022. A Republican, he lost to Anna Caballero, D-Merced, in Senate District by 15% to 44%.