Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity - 9 months ended Oct. 01, 2016 - 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, 2015	$ 13,546	$ 1,213	$ 2,058,492	$ (319,448)	$ (131,327)	$ 1,622,476	$ 5,567	$ 1,628,043
Net earnings	0	0	0	97,540	0	97,540	437	97,977
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0	25,745	25,745	0	25,745
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	(707)	(707)
Share repurchase	(131)	0	(16,850)	0	0	(16,981)	0	(16,981)
Restricted stock issuances	10	0	(452)	0	0	(442)	0	(442)
Dividends declared	0	0	24	(27,627)	0	(27,603)	0	(27,603)
Stock compensation expense	0	0	3,371	0	0	3,371	0	3,371
Tax effects of stock plan	0	0	(21)	0	0	(21)	0	(21)
Balance at Oct. 01, 2016	$ 13,425	$ 1,213	$ 2,044,564	$ (249,535)	$ (105,582)	$ 1,704,085	$ 5,297	$ 1,709,382