( CNN ) Outside of Israeli politics , Isaac Herzog is not a well-known name . That may change on March 17 , when Israelis head to the polls for election day . In the final round of polling before the elections , Herzog 's Zionist Union party is in the lead , holding a four-seat edge over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Likud party . `` I believe in a certain type of leadership that is not always customary in this region . I 'm not a general . I do n't give orders . I know how to work together , '' he says . Throughout the campaign , Herzog has been seen as an underdog , lacking the charisma and the English fluency of Netanyahu . Herzog says that does n't bother him at all . `` I have always suffered from a certain underestimation , '' Herzog said , `` and I have always surprised . '' He promised , `` I will surprise again , and I will show my leadership and stamina . '' Herzog began his political career in 2003 , when he first won a seat in the Knesset with the Labor Party . He held a variety of ministerial positions , including minister of housing and construction , minister of tourism , and minister of welfare and social services , before becoming leader of the Labor Party in 2013 . In those elections , he also became the leader of the opposition , as Benjamin Netanyahu won another term as prime minister . But when Netanyahu called for early elections in 2014 , Herzog pegged his bid for the premiership on social reform . `` What I run for is social justice . I will change the nature of the division of wealth in a fair and more balanced way , close inequality and give a sense of purpose to the people here in the workplace , in the housing , and in the cost of living , '' promised Herzog . Before the election , the issue of a nuclear Iran garnered international headlines as it further aggravated tense relations between the White House and Netanyahu . Herzog , in a speech almost immediately after Netanyahu 's address to Congress , promised to work with the United States and European powers , not against , to ensure the safety of Israel . He echoed that sentiment in an interview with CNN 's Elise Labott . `` A nuclear-armed Iran is dangerous to world peace , is dangerous to our region , is dangerous to Israel . As leader of Israel , I will never accept a nuclear-armed Iran . Never . And all options are on the table . '' In these elections , negotiations with the Palestinians have n't been one of the major issues , but Herzog promised to restart the stalled peace talks with the Palestinian Authority . `` I will do my best to ignite a political process with our Palestinian neighbors . ... Although I can not promise 100 % results , I promise 100 % effort . '' Herzog comes from Israeli political royalty . His grandfather , Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog , was the first chief rabbi of the state of Israel . His father , Chaim Herzog , was an Army general , an ambassador to the United Nations and the president of Israel . Herzog believes it is his destiny to be the next prime minister of Israel . `` What I carry with me is a unique legacy , a family legacy , but most important , an experience that brings me to be able to lead our nation . ''
Polls show Benjamin Netanyahu 's Zionist Union party four seats ahead of Isaac Herzog 's party . Israeli parliamentary elections will be on March 17 .