Exhibit 12(b)
Section 906 Certification
Christian Pittard, Chief Executive Officer, and Andrea Melia, 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 December 31, 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/ Andrea Melia |
Christian Pittard | Andrea Melia |
Date: March 8, 2010 | Date: March 8, 2010 |