Alicia Keys, Son Egypt Perform in Tel Aviv Despite Protests

No one is going to tell Alicia Keys what to do. Despite urging from author Alice Walker and others to stay away from Israel, the R&B diva performed at the Nokia Area in Tel Aviv to a packed crowd.

Humanitarian organizations, as well as musicians like Roger Waters, have supported the ongoing cultural boycott of Israel to protest its inhumane treatment of Palestinians.

While previous artists have canceled their performances to honor the protest, Keys stood her ground and said she would perform on a musical platform of peace and love.

“I look forward to my first visit to Israel. Music is a universal language that is meant to unify audiences in peace and love, and that is the spirit of our show,” she said in a statement back in May.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the Grammy Award winner's message came through loud and clear at her July 4 concert.

In a touching moment during her show, Keys' son, Egypt, joined his mama onstage during her rendition of 'No One.' The little tyke, wearing blue headphones to cover his ears, danced joyously to the piano-driven song.

It's a beautiful moment to witness onstage amid the backdrop of an otherwise volatile time in the country.

Keys closed her concert with the New York anthem 'Empire State of Mind.' Before she belted out the tune she addressed the audience one more time.

"This song is about hopes and dreams," she said. "We all have the same hopes and dreams. It doesn't matter where you come from. Don't let anyone hold us back or push us down."

Watch Alicia Keys Perform 'Girl on Fire' in Tel Aviv