Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Vishay Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 13,520	$ 1,213	$ 2,054,087	$ (257,698)	$ 61,634	$ 1,872,756	$ 5,440	$ 1,878,196
Net earnings	0	0	0	88,423	0	88,423	350	88,773
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0	(49,570)	(49,570)	0	(49,570)
Noncontrolling interest in business acquired	0	0	0	0	0	0	21,895	21,895
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	(547)	(547)
Temporary equity reclassification	0	0	(91,092)	0	0	(91,092)	0	(91,092)
Restricted stock issuances	12	0	(384)	0	0	(372)	0	(372)
Dividends declared	0	0	21	(26,562)	0	(26,541)	0	(26,541)
Stock compensation expense	0	0	1,703	0	0	1,703	0	1,703
Stock options exercised	0	0	50	0	0	50	0	50
Tax effects of stock plan	0	0	(108)	0	0	(108)	0	(108)
Balance at Sep. 27, 2014	$ 13,532	$ 1,213	$ 1,964,277	$ (195,837)	$ 12,064	$ 1,795,249	$ 27,138	$ 1,822,387