BBC director general Tim Davie said the Eurovision Song Contest has "never been about politics" as the corporation faces calls to withdraw from the competition if Israel participates.
It comes as a string of European broadcasters including RTÉ and Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS have called for a boycott of the music competition if Israel takes part.
Speaking on Monday to the Commons Public Accounts Committee, Mr Davie, a board member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: "From a BBC point of view, we’re very aware of the concerns.
"Eurovision never has been about politics and should be a celebration of music and culture that brings people together.
"That is really important, that we try and preserve throughout, but at this stage, I’m supporting the European Broadcasting Union’s work, and they need to get on with it.
"This is a contest which is about the broadcasters from that nation submitting a song, ensuring that process works properly and is truly apolitical.
"There’s quite a lot of detail to get through for the European Broadcasting Union.
"Then as an independent BBC, we will look at that, and then we can go from there."
When asked whether the corporation will listen to its viewers on these subjects, Mr Davie said: "We’re here to serve the public.
"There are a number of issues that are highly divisive within society. Of course we look at the views of the people we serve and our shareholders, the public, absolutely."
On Friday, leaders of the Green parties of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland urged a boycott in a joint letter to Mr Davie.
The BBC faced similar calls from musician and songwriter Phil Coulter, who co-wrote the UK’s winning 1967 entry Puppet On A String and said there was a "double standard" because Russia and Belarus had previously been expelled from the contest.
The 2026 contest, which marks Eurovision's 70th anniversary, is due to take place in Vienna next May. The EBU has yet to confirm Israel's status.
Source: Press Association
