Jennifer Garner's Daughter Comes Under Fire

Jennifer Garner's 18-year-old daughter, Violet Affleck, has stirred up a heated debate online after she was seen wearing a shirt with a pro-Palestinian message.

On October 7, Hamas led a surprise attack on Israel, which it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Israel declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground invasion. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, The Associated Press has reported, and more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, the AP said.

Violet Affleck, Garner's eldest child with her ex-husband Ben Affleck, was photographed wearing a black crewneck with a watermelon print from Wear The Peace. Watermelons have become a symbol of Palestinian resistance amid the Israel-Hamas war. Per the clothing company's website, all proceeds from the sale of the crewneck will be donated to Pious Projects, a non-profit that provides humanitarian help to people in Gaza.

On Thursday the X account (formerly Twitter) Stop Antisemitism posted paparazzi photos of Violet Affleck wearing the top while out shopping with her mom. They captioned the snaps: "Beverly Hills - Jennifer Garner's 18-year-old daughter was spotted today donning a sweatshirt featuring a watermelon, a fruit repurposed to represent the challenges of the Palestinian people. The symbol erases the entire country of Israel."

Newsweek contacted Garner's representatives for comment via email Friday.

The X post has resulted in a debate in the comments, with a variety of people criticizing Stop Antisemitism for coming after the teenager.

"Can you stop? This is giving fuel to the people who gaslight us about antisemitism not existing, putting Jews at risk. This is not antisemitism," one person wrote.

"Your argument is tenuous. Last time you made a big deal out of a flag on a laptop, this time, it's a fruit on a sweatshirt. It's not antisemitism you have a problem with, it's Palestine and anyone showing support to Palestine, rather than Israel, is what you have a problem with," said another.

"Are you guys seriously attacking an 18-year-old for wearing a watermelon shirt?" someone else asked.

"If the basic human rights and freedom of an indigenous group could erase a colony on its land, maybe there are more pressing things to think about besides watermelon sweatshirts," a fourth person wrote.

One notable person who has tweeted out in support of Violet Affleck is Succession actor J. Smith Cameron. She retweeted the post from Stop Antisemitism and wrote: "Go, Violet!"

"No no I am not in favor of erasing any countries. Sorry, no. I'm interested in how human rights group use ART to make statements that might otherwise be quashed," Cameron wrote in another tweet.

She added: "Also, I have met Violet and she's an amazing, thoughtful and concerned individual. Speaking up for the Palestinians, is, in my mind, not tantamount to being antisemitic. It's an extremely tricky situation. But in ANY case: no more bombing."

However, others have agreed with the X account, slamming those who wear watermelons.

"All over Etsy... I've noticed that... people cannot wear that symbol and call it anything other than the erasure of Israel," one person commented.

"Not good. Very very bad. What agency is she represented by?" another X user queried.

A handful of people also took the opportunity to call out Violet Affleck for wearing a face mask.

"Respirator mask outdoors... What else did you expect?" someone asked.

"Went a little overboard there with the mask outdoors," said another.

Another added: "The Flo-mask is just too much. That poor girl has some serious issues."

Violet Affleck's father, Ben Affleck, is involved in the Artists4Ceasefire, a group of almost 250 celebrities who signed a letter to President Biden urging a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

"We urge your administration, Congress, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages," part of the letter reads. "Half of Gaza's two million residents are children, and more than two thirds are refugees and their descendants being forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach them."

The letter also cited the artists' pain and mourning for all of the people in Gaza and their loved ones globally.

"We stand for freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people — and a deep desire to stop more bloodshed," it concluded. "We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing."

The Argo star and Garner were married from 2005 to 2018 and together they have three children, Violet, 18, Seraphina Rose, 14, and Samuel, 11. Garner has been dating John Miller on and off for the past six years. Ben Affleck married Jennifer Lopez in 2022.