Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,370,979	$ 2,230,097	$ 2,594,029
Costs of products sold	1,803,719	1,703,424	1,874,043
Gross profit	567,260	526,673	719,986
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	368,542	349,625	367,623
Restructuring and severance costs	2,814	0	0
Executive compensation charges (credit)	(1,778)	0	5,762
Gain on Sale of Property	0	(12,153)	0
Operating Income	197,682	189,201	346,601
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(23,130)	(22,604)	(19,277)
Other	1,853	3,440	3,792
Other income (expense), total	(21,277)	(19,164)	(15,485)
Income before taxes	176,405	170,037	331,116
Income tax expense	52,636	46,506	91,119
Net earnings	123,769	123,531	239,997
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	789	793	1,176
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 122,980	$ 122,738	$ 238,821
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders:	$ 0.85	$ 0.82	$ 1.49
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders:	$ 0.81	$ 0.79	$ 1.42
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	144,856	149,020	160,094
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	151,417	155,844	168,514