Israeli military officials have sentenced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son, who is currently performing his mandatory military service, to a 21-day detention for going away without leave over the weekend.

On Friday night, Yair Netanyahu skipped requesting permission from his commanding officer to leave his post at the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman's Office international desk in Jerusalem, in order to have dinner with his family at home, according to local media.

The army only became aware of his absence later when irked reporters called his superior officer to complain about unanswered calls to his desk.

The officer then called Yair to inquire as to his whereabouts, but only received a text message in reply that Netanyahu had stepped out to eat.

"The soldier was tried and will be punished in a manner appropriate to his deeds," the spokesman's office told Xinhua in a brief statement.

On Monday, the army's chief foreign press spokesman, Lt.-Col. Avital Leibovich, court-martialed Netanyahu for leaving a military base without permission and lying to a supervising commander, according to Ynet news.

Two bodyguards who constantly accompany Yair will not be punished, since they were fulfilling their duties.

The Prime Minister's Office had no comment on the incident.