Former Foreign Minister and NSW Premier Bob Carr has compared the situation in Gaza with the Warsaw Ghetto, and urged the Government to move with the French on Palestinian statehood. He made his comments in an interview with ABC Radio National Breakfast host Sally Sara. 

An edited transcript follows.

Sally Sara: Bob Carr, what did you make of the Prime Minister's comments on _Insiders_ yesterday, about Gaza and possible recognition of the Palestinian state?

Bob Carr: Well, of course I welcome the Prime Minister’s strong words that Israel is breaching international law.

He is very good on the humanitarian indictment of Israeli behaviour, and he is really reducing this to a matter of time.

It’s clear that Australia is ready to move, but I think we’re giving the impression that we need the comfort of Britain rather than the comfort of the French initiative.

I think that’s very unfortunate if we see ourselves as a strong, creative, middle-power. A nation in the Asia Pacific where two of our most important neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, are surely bigger considerations for us, than what Britain does.

It would strengthen the impression of Australia as a country that can do things, big and important, a model to the world as we did with Gareth Evans as Foreign Minister in the Cambodian peace process and the peace accords.

I just think Australians are ready to see our country show a flash of independence, strength and........

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