The European Olympic Committees are moving their general assembly out of the Israeli resort of Eilat because of the violence between Israel and Hamas.
EOC President Pat Hickey tells The Associated Press that the Dec. 7-8 meeting will be relocated to Rome. The decision was made Monday by the EOC's executive committee.
Hickey says ''many NOCs (national Olympic committees) voiced concerns about safety and security'' because of the conflict between Israel and the Hamas group in Gaza.
He says ''an overwhelmingly amount were not prepared to travel'' to Israel for the annual meeting.
The assembly will be held on the same dates in the Italian capital, which serves as the headquarters of the EOC.
The European body represents 49 Olympic committees. The meeting is expected to attract about 500 delegates.
