Only reason I asked is because I thought it may have been Arabic in origin. There is an Ella Shohat, an author, who said she was an Iraqi/Jew.
I believe that it is valid to look into his background...he's a public figure by virtue of his involvements....WANTS TO BE a public figure. His background could indeed provide insight to motive, alligances and political connections and leanings.
Most of the persons named Shohat who hit the radar are from Israel. In 1997 there was a columnist writing for the daily Ha'aretz named Orit Shohat.