The First Israel Fund, Inc. Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 4  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The First Israel Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE AMEX: ISL), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of October 31, 2009.

The Fund's total returns for various periods through October 31, 2009 are provided below.  (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):

  Period                NAV Total Return %   Market Price Total Return %
                    Cumulative   Annualized    Cumulative    Annualized
  Since inception       229.5          7.3         195.2           6.6
  (October 1992)
  10-years               98.6          7.1         122.0           8.3
  5-years                73.7         11.7          82.2          12.8
  3-years                16.5          5.2          18.0           5.7
  1-year                        45.3                        56.4



On October 31, 2009, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$64.8 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $15.17.

  As of October 31, 2009, the portfolio was invested as follows:




                                                 Percent of Net
  Portfolio Composition                               Assets
  Financials                                                27.8
  Other                                                     21.6
  Consumer, Non-Cyclical                                    18.0
  Basic Materials                                           13.5
  Communications                                            10.5
  Industrials                                                6.5
  Technology                                                 1.9
  Consumer, Cyclical                                         0.2





The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of October 31, 2009, representing 70.5% of net assets, were:

                                                       Percent of
  Stock                                                Net Assets
  Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited                      11.2
  Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corporation
   Limited                                                     9.5
  Israel Chemicals Limited                                     9.5
  Check Point Software Tech                                    9.3
  United Mizrahi Bank Limited                                  9.1
  Perrigo Company                                              5.0
  Bank Hapoalim BM                                             4.7
  Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM                                      4.7
  Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services             4.5
  Shikun & Binui Limited                                       3.0



  Important Information


Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable.  However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, Aberdeen Asset Management Investment Services Limited (the Investment Adviser), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy.  Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S. registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC.

Total return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past performance.  Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower.  Holdings are subject to change and are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities shown.  Inception date October 29, 1992.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact:  

DATASOURCE: The First Israel Fund, Inc.



CONTACT:  Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Investor Relations,

[phone], 



Web Site:  http://www.aberdeen-asset.com/ 

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