UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stood by his harsh criticism of Israel’s policies in the West Bank, but stressed that his words — which have been maligned by a battery of Israeli officials — under no circumstances amounted to a justification for terror attacks.

“In Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, 2016 has begun much as 2015 ended — with unacceptable levels of violence and a polarized public discourse,” Ban wrote in a New York Times op-ed piece. “That polarization showed itself in the halls of the United Nations last week when I pointed out a simple truth: History proves that people will always resist occupation,” he said.

In a thinly veiled jab at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Tuesday accused the United Nations chief of “stoking terror,” Ban argued that he had been misrepresented by critics. “Some sought to shoot the messenger — twisting my words into a misguided justification for violence,” the UN head wrote. “The stabbings, vehicle rammings and other attacks by Palestinians targeting Israeli civilians are reprehensible. So, too, are the incitement of violence and the glorification of killers. “Nothing excuses terrorism. I condemn it categorically.”

Ban added, however, that it was “inconceivable” that violence would be curbed solely through heightened security measures. “As I warned the Security Council last week, Palestinian frustration and grievances are growing under the weight of nearly a half-century of occupation,” he continued. “Ignoring this won’t make it disappear. No one can deny that the everyday reality of occupation provokes anger and despair, which are major drivers of violence and extremism and undermine any hope of a negotiated two-state solution.”

Ban further criticized Israel’s expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, as well as the demolition of illegal Palestinian homes. “The [Israeli] government has approved plans for over 150 new homes in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Last month, 370 acres in the West Bank were declared ‘state land,’ a status that typically leads to exclusive Israeli settler use,” he said. “At the same time, thousands of Palestinian homes in the West Bank risk demolition because of obstacles that may be legal on paper but are discriminatory in practice. Palestinians — especially young people — are losing hope over what seems a harsh, humiliating and endless occupation,” he said. “Israelis are also reeling from near-daily attacks and losing sight of the possibility of a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians.”