(VOVworld) – A nine-hour meeting between the US, Israel, and Palestine ended with no sign that the parties would return to the negotiating table to seek a Middle East peace.

US Secretary of State John Kerr (center), Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (L), and Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat on the Middle East Peace Process Talks at the US Department of State in Washington, D.C., on July 30, 2013. (Photo: US Department of State)

The meeting was described as “a fierce political fight” in which US special envoy Martin Indyk did his best to calm heated exchanges between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat reiterated many times during the talks that Palestine is participating in the talks as a UN-recognized Palestinian state, not a Palestinian authority under Israeli control. In response, Israeli negotiators threatened continued sanctions against Palestine.