In a heated public feud erupting on social media, Israeli influencer Dana Zermon has sharply rebuked comedian Yael Polykav, demanding she either confess to a mistake or remain silent following controversial remarks about women's online content. Earlier today, Sunday, Zermon posted an emotional Instagram Story accusing Polykav of gaslighting and distorting her own message after Polykav addressed the online storm sparked by her criticism of content creators' dressing videos.
Polykav, known as a comedian, broke her silence this morning in a video clip responding to the backlash. She targeted what she described as the exploitation of nudity by female content creators, particularly those featuring undressing and dressing routines. "Lately I've been seeing women constantly just undressing and dressing," Polykav said. "The thing I'm talking about is the exploitation of nudity. Stop conveying this horrible and shallow message that self-love is nudity and a strong woman is through nudity. Female empowerment, that's what you call it, and I say, a woman who loves herself is one who doesn't need feedback, and doesn't need applause and doesn't need love, she just loves herself."
The controversy originated from Polykav's earlier statements against videos by content creators, with particular emphasis on her comment "אני אגמור את השמנות" — interpreted as a harsh jab at overweight women. This ignited widespread outrage online, prompting Polykav's first public response today.
Zermon, who is well-known for her own videos in which she dresses in front of the camera, fired back vehemently. In her Story, she wrote, "You know what's worse than not admitting a mistake? Trying to distort the message and turn it against those same women you already insulted. Accusing the 'nudity' for the vulgarity that came out of you when you lashed out at fat women, that's low, vile gaslighting and even dangerous."
Zermon further escalated her criticism, arguing that Polykav's rhetoric empowers detractors of women in public spaces. "You're giving 'permission' to those primitives who will do everything to make a woman hide," she continued. "It starts with clothes and continues to the entire existence of women in public space. Yes it sounds dramatic but that's the truth."
Capping off her response with an ultimatum that echoes the feud's headline-grabbing intensity, Zermon concluded: "Admit to a mistake or just shut up." The exchange highlights deepening tensions between advocates of body-positive content and critics who view such expressions as superficial or exploitative.
As of this afternoon, neither side has issued further public statements, leaving social media users to debate the merits of self-love messaging versus perceived overreach in online expression.
