On Tuesday, June 16th, at 11:00 AM, the Elbit Out of SC Coalition hosted an emergency press conference at the North Charleston Terminal off Remount Road in response to a newly released report from the Palestinian Youth Movement and Oxfam Denmark which details the use of Charleston ports in shipping weapons to Israel, including bomb bodies made at Elbit Systems of America in Ladson, SC. The full report, "Bullets, Bombs, & Mortars: Maersk's Shipment of Munition Components to Israel", can be accessed at https://www.oxfam.org/en/
It has not previously been reported or disclosed by Elbit Systems that their Ladson facility also produces bomb bodies, nor that weapons bound for Israel have been transported through the Port of Charleston. Nearly 1,000 tons of MPR series bomb bodies made in Ladson have shipped to Israel since 2024. Such bombs have been dropped by Israel on homes, hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure in Gaza -- the report specifically details the deaths of 7 paramedics and 9 members of the Abu Radwan family in Israeli bombings using MPR series bombs. The United Nations has declared that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws. Elbit Systems opened its Ladson facility in 2023 after receiving a package of state and local tax incentives, including a Fee in Lieu of Taxation agreement with Charleston County that could result in the loss of millions of dollars in funding for Charleston County School District.
Dr. Andre Uflacker, an interventional radiologist who served a medical mission in Gaza in January 2026, said: “I have witnessed first hand the devastation the Israeli military unleashed on Gaza with weapons made by Elbit Systems in the Lowcountry and exported by Maersk through the port of Charleston. Residents of the Lowcountry must be made aware of this activity and decide for themselves whether or not to accept it."
The Elbit Out of SC coalition formed in spring of 2024 to respond to the opening of Elbit Systems' Ladson facility. Its organizational membership includes Free Palestine Charleston, Charleston Democratic Socialists of America, Lowcountry Action Committee, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Elbit Out of SC has raised awareness in the Charleston community at Charleston County Council meetings, public teach ins, and weekly pickets at the Ladson facility since October of 2024. Over 2,000 Charleston residents have signed a petition urging Charleston County Council to void the tax incentives that Elbit Systems receives.
You an learn more at elbitoutofsc.com.