Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term	$ 29,058	$ 12,636
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	9,471	9,466
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents	38,529	22,102
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term	3,495	1,430
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term [Member] \| Other [Member]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term	269	52
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term [Member] \| IDT Financial Services Customer Deposits [Member]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-short-term	25,294	11,154
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-long-term [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	2,767	2,763
Restricted cash and cash equivalents-long-term [Member] \| IDT Financial Services related [Member]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term	$ 6,704	$ 6,703

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

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