President Obama’s spokesman cleaned up a gaffe by his boss on the question of which Middle Eastern country is the United States closest ally in the region.

Obama described Israel as “one of our closest allies” in the Middle East during a CBS interview that ran last night — a characterization that prompted reporters to ask White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to identify the closest ally in the region.

“I think you’ve heard the President say numerous times that Israel is our closest ally in the region,” Carney replied.  “We have an unshakeable bond with Israel.  We have a commitment to Israel and to Israel’s security that is profound and unique.  And that is demonstrated by the policies of this administration as well as the policies of the President’s predecessors.”