FAQs
Who is Elbit Systems?
Elbit Systems LLC is an American subsidiary of the Israeli based weapons and surveillance technologies manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd. In summer 2023, with ample support from local politicians and tax incentives approved by Charleston County Council, Elbit Systems opened a facility in Ladson, SC.
What is being produced in Charleston county?
Locally, Elbit calls the new Ladson facility their “Ground Combat Vehicle Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence.” Here, automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems are being built. These weapons have a singular purpose: to maim and to kill and are intended to be exported to Israel in 2025.
How is Elbit affecting my neighborhood?
Elbit’s Ladson facility opened with the support of numerous tax incentives, including a $700,000 Set Aside Grant proposed by the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development and approved by Charleston County Council. Elbit also received a Fee in Lieu of Taxation (FILOT), as well as a Special Source Revenue Credit, which were also both approved by Charleston County Council.
They received additional support from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
The genocide in Gaza and imperial wars elsewhere are directly impacting our community by draining our local resources through corporate handouts, tying our local economy to crimes against humanity and an international economy of violence and war crimes, and making us morally complicit in genocide.
Who is Elbit out of SC?
The long answer: Elbit Out of SC is a coalition of local organizations and unaffiliated concerned citizens united against Charleston County Council’s economic support for Elbit Systems. Current organizational membership includes Free Palestine Charleston, Lowcountry Rising for Palestine, and Charleston DSA.
The short answer: We are your neighbors.
If you’re interested in your organization joining the coalition, contact us.
What else does Elbit produce?
Elbit Systems produces a variety of weapons and surveillance technologies for global export. They have a decades long history of aiding and abetting war crimes, including Myanmar’s genocide on the Rohingya. They also produce technologies used to surveil the indigenous Hia Ced O’odham and Tohono O’odham who reside along the Southern US border. Similarly, Elbit also produces technologies which are used to surveil Palestinians at border checkpoints.
Elbit Systems previously produced a number of controversial and internationally banned weaponry, including white phosphorous and cluster munitions.