Israel was already displeased with US President Joe Biden’s plan to visit eastern Jerusalem and meet with Palestinian officials there. But when he also refused to let Israeli officials accompany him, it was denounced as an assault on Israeli sovereignty.

The American news outlet Axios reports that four Israeli officials confirmed Biden’s delegation rejected a request by the Israeli government to accompany the visiting president in all parts of the capital, including the eastern half of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians.

One senior Israeli official reportedly said this was a matter of Israeli sovereignty, and that the government would continue pressing the Americans.

But already the dynamics of this whole affair are worrying. Israel shouldn’t need the permission of America or anyone else to send its officials anywhere they please in Jerusalem at any time.