Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 597,665	$ 588,199	$ 1,151,919	$ 1,126,746
Costs of products sold	454,808	440,580	872,328	842,418
Gross profit	142,857	147,619	279,591	284,328
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	92,745	86,889	183,874	173,253
Executive compensation charge (credit)	(1,778)	0	(1,778)	0
Gain on Sale of Property	0	(12,153)	0	(12,153)
Operating income	51,890	72,883	97,495	123,228
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,824)	(5,539)	(11,310)	(10,256)
Other	784	(2,094)	899	(786)
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(5,040)	(7,633)	(10,411)	(11,042)
Income before taxes	46,850	65,250	87,084	112,186
Income tax expense	15,365	19,420	26,458	32,281
Net earnings	31,485	45,830	60,626	79,905
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	176	159	386	422
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 31,309	$ 45,671	$ 60,240	$ 79,483
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.22	$ 0.30	$ 0.42	$ 0.51
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.21	$ 0.29	$ 0.40	$ 0.49
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	143,603	152,462	143,544	154,831
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	151,880	159,249	151,256	161,596