The Cross of the Tree of Gernika ( eu, Gernikako Arbolaren Gurutzea, es, Cruz del Árbol de Gernika) is a civil medal awarded in the

Basque Country Basque Country may refer to: * Basque Country (autonomous community), as used in Spain ( es, País Vasco, link=no), also called , an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain (shown in pink on the map) * French Basque Country o ...

, Spain. It is awarded by the Basque Government to people "who have distinguished themselves in their services to the Basque Country in defense of its identity and the restoration of its personality; and generally in social, economic and cultural fields". It is the highest distinction awarded by the Basque Government.

Recipients

The following people have been awarded the cross: * Miguel Herńandez Ocanto, Governor of the Federal District of Venezuela (16 May 1983) *

Jesús María Leizaola Jesus ( AD 30 or 33) was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who most Christians believe to be the incarnation of God and Muslims believe was a prophet. Jesus may also refer to: People Religious figures * Elymas Bar-Jesus, a Jew in the ''Act ...

, former Lehendakari (14 August 1986) * Manuel Lekuona, former president of

Euskaltzaindia Euskaltzaindia (; often translated Royal Academy of the Basque Language) is the official academic language regulatory institution which watches over the Basque language. It conducts research, seeks to protect the language, and establishes stand ...

(6 August 1987, posthumous) * Jose Migel Barandiaran, anthropologist (15 December 1987) * Rafael Caldera,

president of Venezuela The president of Venezuela ( es, Presidente de Venezuela), officially known as the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, Presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is the head of state and head of government in Ven ...

(4 July 1995) *

Ramón Rubial Ramón Rubial Cavia (28 October 1906 – 24 May 1999) was a Spanish socialist leader. He was a main leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party in the Basque Country and in Spain. Revolutionary action Born in Erandio, Biscay, Rubial was a m ...

, former president of the Basque General Council (3 February 1998) * José Antonio Aguirre, former Lehendakari (2 March 2010, posthumous) *

Carlos Garaikoetxea Carlos Garaikoetxea Urriza (born 2 June 1938) is a former politician from the Spanish Basque Country. He became the second elected ''Lehendakari'' (President of the Basque Autonomous Community), after José Antonio Aguirre, who had held that ...

, former Lehendakari (18 October 2011) *

José Antonio Ardanza José Antonio Ardanza Garro (born 10 June 1941) is a former Spanish politician that became the second elected ''Lehendakari'' (President of the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain after the approval of the Statute of Autonomy. He was in office b ...

, former Lehendakari (2 October 2012)

References

{{Reflist Orders, decorations, and medals of the Basque Country (autonomous community) 1983 establishments in the Basque Country (autonomous community) Awards established in 1983