Key facts
- A new 28-storey student accommodation tower and an 18-storey co-living block are being built in Bristol.
- The St James House development is funded by Cain International and Israel's Menora Mivtachim.
- Menora Mivtachim invests in Israeli military infrastructure and companies involved in West Bank settlements.
- Cain International CEO Jonathan Goldstein is a former chair of the pro-Israel Jewish Leadership Council.
- The UK student accommodation sector is experiencing a boom driven by international student demand and higher fees.
- Bristol has a significant shortfall in student housing, contributing to market advantages for developers.
Two new towers, St James House, are under construction in Bristol, UK. The development includes a 28-storey building for students and an 18-storey block for young professionals. This project is funded by Cain International, a real estate investment firm, and Menora Mivtachim, one of Israel's largest pension and insurance groups. The article highlights that Menora Mivtachim has significant investments in Israeli military infrastructure and companies involved in West Bank settlements. Cain International's CEO, Jonathan Goldstein, is noted for his past leadership roles in pro-Israel organizations and campaigns against former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The development is presented as part of a broader trend of global capital, particularly from Israel, flowing into the UK's purpose-built student accommodation sector, driven by increasing international student numbers and higher tuition fees. The article contrasts the lucrative nature of these developments with the visible housing affordability crisis in Bristol, evidenced by homeless encampments near the construction site. Neither Cain International nor Menora Mivtachim responded to requests for comment.