EXHIBIT 99.906CERT
EXHIBIT 12(b)
SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS
Section 906 Certification
Christian Pittard, Chief Executive Officer, and Megan Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer, of The First Israel Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Registrant”), each certify that:
1. | The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2009 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as applicable; and |
2. | The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. |
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The First Israel Fund, Inc. The First Israel Fund, Inc.
/s/ Christian Pittard /s/ Megan Kennedy
Christian Pittard Megan Kennedy
Date: August 31, 2009 Date: August 31, 2009
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Fund and will be retained by the Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.