INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax expense computed at statutory rates, see (*) below	[1]	$ 32,044	$ 48,433	$ 52,650
Effect of tax rate change on deferred tax liabilities, net(**)	[2]	(478)	(16,078)
Effect of different tax rates in different jurisdictions and Preferred Enterprise Benefit		(23,150)	(33,298)	(4,772)
Gain on acquisition				(10,450)
Tax benefits for which deferred taxes were not recorded, see F below			(15,103)	(23,489)
Change in Valuation allowance, see F below		(962)	(82,772)	(6,212)
Permanent differences and other, net		(1,516)	(1,070)	(6,295)
Income tax expense (benefit)		$ 5,938	$ (99,888)	$ 1,432

[1] The tax expense (benefit) was computed based on Tower's regular corporate tax rate of 23% for 2018, 24% for 2017 and 25% for 2016.

[2] Reduction in tax rates due to the U.S. Tax Reform and reduction in income tax rates in Japan.