Protests interrupt rollout of SC’s new pro-Israel legislative caucus

COLUMBIA — A pro-Palestine protest briefly interrupted a Statehouse news conference celebrating the formation of the new bipartisan South Carolina-Israel Caucus, which more than 20 legislators have joined.

Rep. Beth Bernstein, the state’s only Jewish legislator, had just finished highlighting partnerships between South Carolina and Israeli universities — such as Medical University of South Carolina and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology’s joint research in cardiovascular medicine. She also spoke of Israeli-owned businesses across the technology, automotive plastics and agriculture sector that have set up shop in the Palmetto State.

“South Carolina shares a deep and abiding friendship with the people of Israel and welcomes all opportunities to deepen this relationship through cultural, academic and business endeavors,” the Columbia Democrat said Wednesday.

The official announcement of the caucus came a day after the House adopted a resolution that Bernstein introduced recognizing the state’s “friendship and partnership” with Israel.

As Bernstein’s caucus co-chair, Sen. Larry Grooms, stepped to the podium, a man in the crowd yelled out and threw fake money that he referred to as “Zionist blood money.”

“Israel is guilty of war crimes,” Martin Levisen of Charleston repeatedly shouted as law enforcement with the state Department of Public Safety pinned his hands behind his back and forcibly removed him from the second floor of the Statehouse.

“This is exactly why we need to form the Israel-South Carolina Caucus,” said Grooms, a Berkeley County Republican.

Lt. Gov. Pam Evette apologized for the “outburst” to Jewish members in the crowd when it came her turn to speak.

“That is not the sentiment of America; that is not the sentiment of South Carolina,” she said.

(South Carolina was once home to the largest Jewish population in America. A historic Jewish synagogue in Charleston predates American independence by decades.)

Levinsen later told the SC Daily Gazette he was not arrested. Law enforcement called paramedics to Statehouse grounds to make sure he was OK after he had hit his head on the handrail as he resisted going down the stairs.

“I am more than willing to sacrifice my freedom to speak for a people that have no voice and are being massacred,” he said. “It is imperative that people find their voices on this issue we must speak up.”

Other protesters from the Carolina Peace Resource Center, in a statement, called the formation of the South Carolina-Israel Caucus “deeply troubling” in light of the war that broke out between Israel and Palestine after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

About 1,200 civilians were killed in Israel and Hamas took some 250 hostages, 59 of whom are still being held. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it “Israel’s 9/11,” referring to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in America, and pledged to destroy Hamas.

Israel’s air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

“At a time when we should be holding all nations accountable to international norms and human rights, our lawmakers should prioritize the people of South Carolina,” read the statement from the Columbia center. “This is not a friendship; it’s complicity.”

Bills seek to improve safety for South Carolinians as they worship and attend class

Bernstein said the caucus, which officially formed on April 8, has not voted on legislative priorities. But she highlighted several pieces of legislation she has sponsored that meet with the goals she hopes the caucus can achieve.

The first is a bill signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster last year that codifies a definition of antisemitism into state law.

The second is legislation Bernstein introduced in March that would fund security improvements for churches, synagogues and other religious institutions in South Carolina.

“South Carolina and Israel have long enjoyed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Anat Sultan-Dadon, consul general of Israel to the Southeastern United States. “Through this caucus, we will strive to further strengthen these ties, foster greater cooperation, explore new opportunities for growth in trade, culture, technology, education and beyond.”

It’s not the first time the Legislature has declared a bond with Israel. In 2011, the House adopted a resolution that was essentially a statement of support on Israel’s right to exist. It declared that Israel “is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of others.”

Four years later, then-Gov. Nikki Haley signed an anti-boycott measure aimed at barring state agencies from doing business with or investing in companies that boycott products or divest from Israel (though it doesn’t actually reference Israel). At least three dozen other states have since passed similar policies opposing the so-called “boycott, divestment and sanctions” movement.