X0303 4 2008-12-30 0 0000865277 FIRST ISRAEL FUND INC ISL 0001211146 CATTANO JAMES PRIMARY RESOURCES 5100 TAMIAMI TRAIL N. NAPLES FL 34103 1 0 0 1 Audit Committee Chairman common stock 2008-12-30 4 P 0 342 8.8 A 1249.82 D The total shares held following this transaction includes 14.729 shares acquired on 9/18/08 as part of the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. /s/ Karen Regan, as attorney-in-fact 2009-01-06