Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 45,671	$ 82,095	$ 79,483	$ 157,382
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	72	48	162	94
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 45,743	$ 82,143	$ 79,645	$ 157,476
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	152,462	160,801	154,831	163,006
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,176	9,166	6,176	9,464
Restricted stock units	513	428	489	385
Other	98	250	100	288
Dilutive potential common shares	6,787	9,844	6,765	10,137
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	159,249	170,645	161,596	173,143
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.97
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.48	$ 0.49	$ 0.91
Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	19,809	0	19,809	0
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 13.88
Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	7,885	4,332	7,885	2,166
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 19.02
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	4,328	0	2,164	0
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of senior debentures for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 11.81
Weighted average employees stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	296	0	244	2
Weighted average warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	8,824	8,824	8,824	8,824
Weighted average other [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	194	101	201	69