Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 572,781	$ 637,649	$ 1,699,527	$ 2,042,638
Costs of products sold	439,227	470,172	1,281,645	1,448,308
Gross profit	133,554	167,477	417,882	594,330
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	89,095	90,271	262,348	275,532
Gain on Sale of Property	0	0	(12,153)	0
Executive compensation charge	0	1,873	0	5,762
Operating income	44,459	75,333	167,687	313,036
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(6,009)	(5,311)	(16,265)	(13,989)
Other	2,726	1,790	1,940	1,255
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(3,283)	(3,521)	(14,325)	(12,734)
Income before taxes	41,176	71,812	153,362	300,302
Income tax expense	18,687	21,120	50,968	91,507
Net earnings	22,489	50,692	102,394	208,795
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	209	205	631	926
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 22,280	$ 50,487	$ 101,763	$ 207,869
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.16	$ 0.32	$ 0.67	$ 1.29
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.15	$ 0.31	$ 0.65	$ 1.22
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	143,273	157,149	150,978	161,061
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	150,118	163,808	157,770	170,039