Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity - 6 months ended Jul. 04, 2015 - 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, 2014	$ 13,532	$ 1,213	$ 2,055,246	$ (175,485)	$ (69,140)	$ 1,825,366	$ 5,511	$ 1,830,877
Net earnings	0	0	0	56,967	0	56,967	476	57,443
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0	(57,760)	(57,760)	0	(57,760)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	(725)	(725)
Restricted stock issuances	12	0	(651)	0	0	(639)	0	(639)
Dividends declared	0	0	16	(17,724)	0	(17,708)	0	(17,708)
Stock compensation expense	0	0	1,979	0	0	1,979	0	1,979
Tax effects of stock plan	0	0	21	0	0	21	0	21
Balance at Jul. 04, 2015	$ 13,544	$ 1,213	$ 2,056,611	$ (136,242)	$ (126,900)	$ 1,808,226	$ 5,262	$ 1,813,488