JERUSALEM (JTA) — A new immigrant to Israel who reportedly left his haredi Orthodox family in Brooklyn in order to serve in the Israeli army was stabbed in the back just outside of the Old City of Jerusalem.

The teen, 17, who arrived in Israel six weeks ago and is studying at a pre-military academy near Jerusalem, was stabbed next to the Damasus Gate on Saturday evening as he left the Old City where he had prayed at the Western Wall, according to reports. He was lightly wounded in the attack, and treated at Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus.

He told Ynet that the attack has not changed his desire to serve in the Israeli army, “I was stabbed, and now I’m going to join the army and give it my all,” he told Ynet. He said he wants to join the elite field intelligence-gathering Sayeret Matkal unit.

Three Palestinian teens ages 15 and 16, of eastern Jerusalem, are being held by police in connection with the attack. One of the suspects turned himself into police hours after the attack by a group of Palestinian teens, which was caught on surveillance video. Police report that other arrests are expected.

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