Residents press council to act after Elbit Systems ships howitzers; speakers urge end to tax incentives

Dozens of public speakers at Charleston County Council’s meeting urged elected officials to act against Elbit Systems, which critics say has shipped howitzers from its Ladson facility to Israel. Speakers said the company’s weapons are being used in the Israel-Gaza conflict and asked the council to rescind tax incentives and other local support. Multiple commenters invoked imagery and testimony from international human-rights experts and recent news accounts. Robert Genro told the council: "You've allowed into our community a company playing an integral role in a world historic live streamed atrocity. That will be the shame of the world for generations to come." He urged council to "shut down Elbit immediately before more damage can be done." Other speakers argued the county’s prior financial arrangements — described by some as a "fee in lieu of tax" agreement — make the county complicit. Brianna McGinnis said the incentive package "makes all of us, taxpayers, council members, all of us, complicit in the war crimes that those weapons are being used to commit." Elizabeth Roth of the Elbit out of South Carolina Coalition said the first howitzers have left the area and called for divestment of taxpayer money. Speakers used a range of frames: some described Elbit as a war profiteer and urged immediate action from the county; others linked the presence of the company to local budget choices, saying public subsidies harmed schools and libraries. Several speakers referenced international legal findings and commentary from scholars and humanitarian groups characterizing actions in Gaza as genocide. Council response and status: There was no formal council vote or ordinance action on Elbit at this meeting. Several council members acknowledged receipt of public concerns and indicated staff follow-up or private conversation with staff and legal counsel would occur; one council member said he would speak with staff after the meeting about Elbit-related issues. The record shows strong public advocacy but no immediate policy change by the council at this session.