Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 641,929	$ 597,665	$ 1,244,307	$ 1,151,919
Costs of products sold	477,836	454,808	934,931	872,328
Gross profit	164,093	142,857	309,376	279,591
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	97,156	92,745	193,463	183,874
Restructuring and severance costs	9,014	0	15,418	0
Executive compensation charges (credit)	0	(1,778)	0	(1,778)
Operating income	57,923	51,890	100,495	97,495
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,821)	(5,824)	(11,801)	(11,310)
Other	208	784	1,520	899
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(5,613)	(5,040)	(10,281)	(10,411)
Income before taxes	52,310	46,850	90,214	87,084
Income tax expense	16,478	15,365	28,418	26,458
Net earnings	35,832	31,485	61,796	60,626
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	190	176	344	386
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 35,642	$ 31,309	$ 61,452	$ 60,240
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.24	$ 0.22	$ 0.42	$ 0.42
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.21	$ 0.40	$ 0.40
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	147,567	143,710	147,561	143,651
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	154,322	151,880	153,438	151,256
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.12	$ 0