Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 602,890	$ 572,781	$ 1,754,809	$ 1,699,527
Costs of products sold	459,670	439,227	1,331,998	1,281,645
Gross profit	143,220	133,554	422,811	417,882
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	90,067	89,095	273,941	262,348
Executive Compensation Charge (credit)	0	0	(1,778)	0
Gain on Sale of Property	0	0	0	(12,153)
Operating income	53,153	44,459	150,648	167,687
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,797)	(6,009)	(17,107)	(16,265)
Other	556	2,726	1,455	1,940
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(5,241)	(3,283)	(15,652)	(14,325)
Income before taxes	47,912	41,176	134,996	153,362
Income tax expense	15,043	18,687	41,501	50,968
Net earnings	32,869	22,489	93,495	102,394
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	150	209	536	631
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 32,719	$ 22,280	$ 92,959	$ 101,763
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.16	$ 0.65	$ 0.67
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.22	$ 0.15	$ 0.61	$ 0.65
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	144,937	143,273	144,012	150,978
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	151,890	150,118	151,471	157,770