Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 554,254	$ 538,547
Costs of products sold	417,520	401,838
Gross profit	136,734	136,709
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	91,129	86,364
Operating income	45,605	50,345
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,486)	(4,717)
Other	115	1,308
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(5,371)	(3,409)
Income before taxes	40,234	46,936
Income tax expense	11,093	12,861
Net earnings	29,141	34,075
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	210	263
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 28,931	$ 33,812
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.20	$ 0.22
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.19	$ 0.21
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	143,484	157,199
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	150,632	163,944