Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 588,199	$ 709,838	$ 1,126,746	$ 1,404,989
Costs of products sold	440,580	497,648	842,418	978,136
Gross profit	147,619	212,190	284,328	426,853
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	86,889	92,796	173,253	185,261
Gain on Sale of Property	(12,153)	0	(12,153)	0
Executive compensation charge	0	3,889	0	3,889
Operating income	72,883	115,505	123,228	237,703
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(5,539)	(4,624)	(10,256)	(8,678)
Other	(2,094)	(28)	(786)	(535)
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(7,633)	(4,652)	(11,042)	(9,213)
Income before taxes	65,250	110,853	112,186	228,490
Income tax expense	19,420	28,357	32,281	70,387
Net earnings	45,830	82,496	79,905	158,103
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	159	401	422	721
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 45,671	$ 82,095	$ 79,483	$ 157,382
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.30	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.97
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 0.29	$ 0.48	$ 0.49	$ 0.91
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	152,462	160,801	154,831	163,006
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	159,249	170,645	161,596	173,143