Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify, was confronted by an anti-Israel protester during a session at Montreal's Startupfest on Wednesday, an incident he described as “antisemitism. Pure & simple.” The protester, identified as political activist Yves Engler, interrupted a conversation between Finkelstein and former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre about entrepreneurship.
Third Incident in Two Years
Finkelstein stated on X that this was the third time in two years he has been aggressively challenged in public for his support of Israel. “Disguised under a thin veil of advocacy, and everyone in the room saw right through it. I was on stage with Georges St-Pierre talking about entrepreneurship. Not politics,” he wrote. “A man burst in screaming horrible accusations at me anyway … My parents were in the front row. I’ll never forget their faces. When the target is always the Jew and never the topic, it’s not advocacy. It’s hate.”
Protest Details
According to Betakit, a Canadian tech startup news site, the protester approached the stage, filmed Finkelstein, and asked why he supported the “genocide in Gaza.” Finkelstein responded: “Sir, we’re talking about entrepreneurship in Canada, and celebrating an amazing athlete, (Georges St-Pierre), and these amazing entrepreneurs, and you’re embarrassing yourself.”
Engler later posted on Instagram, claiming Finkelstein “squirmed when questioned about his financial & ideological support for genocidal Jewish supremacy.” He also alleged that St-Pierre looked “visibly uncomfortable.” However, Finkelstein noted that Engler was “booed” and the crowd cheered when he was escorted out.
Broader Context of Protests
This incident follows previous disruptions, including a 2024 live podcast with Indigo CEO Heather Reisman and DAVIDsTEA founder David Segal at Startupfest, and interruptions during Finkelstein's remarks at the opening of the Finkelstein Chabad Jewish Centre in Ottawa. Shopify and Finkelstein have also faced a social media boycott campaign.
In a guest article for the National Post, Finkelstein argued that protests target him due to his Jewish identity rather than his politics. He wrote: “What is excused as advocacy now routinely crosses into harassment, disruption and outright antisemitism, playing out openly from places like the Eaton Centre to university campuses across the country.”
Engler's Background
Engler attempted to run for the federal NDP leadership in late 2025 but was deemed ineligible, with the party alleging he harassed and intimidated elected officials. His NDP membership was terminated in March 2026.
